2 men injured after plane crashes near Manatee County airport, sheriff’s office says
A small plane crashed Tuesday morning at Airport Manatee, injuring two men, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded shortly before 10 a.m. to the privately owned airport, 15108 U.S. 41, Palmetto, where witnesses reported a vintage single-engine Aeronca Champ experienced a problem just after takeoff, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Investigators say the plane veered left, struck a power line, and crashed into an unoccupied pickup truck.
The 70-year-old pilot was found injured in the front seat of the plane, the sheriff’s office said. An 86-year-old passenger who had been in the rear seat, was able to climb out but was also hurt, according to a news release.
Firefighters with North River Fire Rescue helped remove the pilot from the plane, deputies said.
Emergency crews treated both men at the scene and flew them to hospitals. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening, the sheriff’s office said.
No one on the ground was injured, deputies say. Florida Power & Light responded to repair the damaged power line.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.
