Summary
- Pilot lands Piper PA-28 at golf course due to engine failure, suffering minor injuries.
- CCTV video shows plane narrowly missing golfer before skidding to a stop.
- Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a popular light aircraft with over 32,000 produced since 1961.
On Monday, August 5th, KCRA reported that a small single-engine aircraft reportedly conducted an emergency landing at a golf course in Sacramento, California. The aircraft, which was a Piper PA-28 Cherokee, suffered an engine failure, and the pilot was forced to land at a nearby golf course because he believed that he would be unable to make it to the nearby airport. The aircraft successfully crash-landed at Haggin Oaks Golf Course Complex in Sacramento. The pilot walked away from the incident with minor injuries, reporting that he suffered only a minor cut to his hand.
Emergency landing at a golf course
As seen in the CCTV video above, the pilot crashed into an open area of the golf course, narrowly missing another golfer on the ground. Per the Sacramento Fire Department, the pilot had taken off from McClellan Airfield (MCC), which is about six miles northeast of Sacramento. The airfield is also just north of Haggins Oaks Golf Complex. According to officials, after taking off, the pilot experienced complete mechanical engine failure. At the time, he was only at an altitude of 400 feet.
Photo: Igor Grochev | Shutterstock
The aircraft allegedly flew over the first hole right before turning sharply to the right. Ken Morton Jr., the Vice President of Haggins Oaks Golf Complex, told ABC10 that the plane landed on the tenth-hole tee box and skidded over the putting green.
As seen in the video, the plane skidded around 50 yards before coming to a stop. This prevented damage to the pro shop, which is the building seen in the video. Debris was scattered across the ground, including part of the wing and part of the landing gear.
About the Piper PA-28 Cherokee
As previously mentioned, the aircraft that crashed into the golf course was a Piper PA-28 Cherokee. Piper has been building this light aircraft since 1961. Since its introduction, over 32,000 Cherokees have been produced, making it one of the most-produced aircraft series in the world. The PA-28 family also includes the Warrior series, the Archer series, and the Arrow series.
Photo: Photosite/Shutterstock
The Cherokee is a civil utility aircraft that typically holds up to four people. The PA-28 is designed with low-mounted wings, tricycle landing gear, and a single-piston engine. This is typically a Lycoming O-320 series engine, which provides up to 235 horsepower, depending on the Cherokee variant. The PA-28 Cherokee has the following specifications:
Length |
23 feet four inches |
---|---|
Height |
Seven feet four inches |
Wingspan |
30 feet |
Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) |
2,150 pounds |
Maximum speed |
123 knots (142 miles per hour) |
Cruise speed |
108 knots (124 miles per hour) |
Range |
465 nautical miles (535 miles) |
Service ceiling |
14,300 feet |