A small airplane had a rough day while taking off from Sacramento McClellan Airport. The plane, a Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III, lost engine power shortly after departure and ended up crashing into a building on a nearby golf course.
Listen to the full air traffic control audio recording here:
According to air traffic control recordings, the pilot had been in contact with the tower, trying to get takeoff instructions. Things seemed normal at first, as they planned for a routine flight. However, just after takeoff, the pilot communicated that they were facing engine trouble and needed to land. The pilot decided to try landing on the golf course, located just a mile and a half from the airport.
As the situation unfolded, the control tower noticed that the pilot was last seen attempting to circle back towards the airport before disappearing from view behind some buildings. The tower reported seeing the airplane fly toward the golf course, but the communication suggested that it wasn’t an easy landing.
Once on the ground, emergency services were quickly alerted. They soon discovered the airplane on the golf course, noting that it had skidded into a building. Fortunately, reports confirmed that the pilot managed to exit the aircraft safely and was unharmed. Rescue units arrived on scene to assist, but thankfully there was no fire or serious damage to the pilot.
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