Plane crashes at airstrip, pilot unhurt

An experimental open-cockpit airplane crashed into an airfield Sunday afternoon near the Carson City landfill but the pilot was able to walk away uninjured.

"I just caught a wire," said the pilot, who would not give his name.

The pilot was dropping into the Ben Parker airfield from the east when he hit a lateral power line east of the strip. The silver single-engine propeller plane fell onto the runway and skidded into the brush at about 1:15 p.m.

A propeller was bent and the left wing was broken. The pilot said he has flown this home-built plane since 1984.

Carson City firefighters were on scene within minutes but the pilot declined transport. The Carson City Sheriff's Department did not immediately have the pilot's name.

The airstrip is located just off Highway 50 East near the Lyon County line. The field is beyond Flint Drive, leading to the landfill, and behind ABC Heating and Sheet Metal.

The downed power line served ABC Heating, Carson Armory Guns, Carson Used Tire and Wheel, Mike's Automotive and Coy Truck Sales. All were closed Sunday.

Bob Thomas, who owns several hangars at Carson City Airport, said the Parker airfield is for short field aircraft that make short takeoffs and landings, known as STOL in aviation terms.

"It's been there for a lot of years," Thomas said. "It's very short. He's very lucky."