COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia police say they are assisting with a "small plane crash" at a local airport.
Police say an emergency call was received at approximately 11:30 a.m. about a plane crash at Jim Hamilton–L.B. Owens Airport in the Rosewood area.
According to Columbia-Richland Fire spokesperson Mike DeSumma, the aircraft was a type of power glider.
"Essentially, these aircraft are small, they only carry so much fuel, and mainly when you get up in the air, you're gliding essentially," he said.
DeSumma said the pilot was coming in for a landing when he crashed on the runway. He wouldn't provide additional information on that pilot's condition.
"The pilot was not entrapped in the aircraft but EMS arrived on the scene with our crews," he said.
The pilot has been taken to a local hospital, according to police.
DeSumma added that this was a single-seater aircraft and that the pilot was the only person aboard.
Fire officials added that the crash occurred on the runway, away from residential areas. There was no fire during the crash and there was no major fuel spillage during impact.
The Federal Aviation Administration has since been notified, DeSumma added.
This is a breaking news story. News 19 is working to gather additional information. Check back for more information as it becomes available.
