Small plane lands on state beach parking lot in H.B.; pilot uninjured

A small plane made an emergency landing on a Huntington State Beach parking lot late Monday afternoon, according to the Huntington Beach Fire Department.

The single-engine Sonex landed safely at about 4:40 p.m. near Newland Street and Pacific Coast Highway, authorities said.

Huntington Beach firefighters said the pilot, who was the only one aboard, escaped injury.

The lot was empty because state beach parking lots are closed because of coronavirus restrictions.

The pilot, Jon Grazer of Newport Beach, told the Orange County Register that he was flying to Long Beach to a practice area when he noticed the plane’s fuel level dropping after he left John Wayne Airport.

He said he had heard of the beach parking closures, so he thought the lot would be the best place to land.

Daily Pilot staff contributed to this report.

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