×

FAA not aware of any distress signals before plane crash

Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple A single-engine plane crashed Monday evening. The plane crashed on its approach to an air strip along Gardner Barclay Road in Gustavus Township.

GUSTAVUS — One person was hurt and another was unharmed when a small single-engine plane crashed Monday night in a field near a heavily wooded area on Gardner Barclay Road, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The plane piloted by Robert Gale, 71, of Jefferson, was attempting to land just after 9 p.m. at the Gustavus Airport, a privately owned airstrip on Gardner Barclay Road, when it came in too low and struck a tree, a release from the patrol states.

It crashed in an open field about a half mile away from the landing strip, according to the release.

Gale was taken to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. A spokesman for the hospital said Tuesday afternoon Gale remains in a room at the hospital with no condition available.

His passenger, Louis Gale, 50, of Jefferson, refused treatment at the scene.

According to a Trumbull County 911 call log, a caller in a pickup drove back into the woods to locate the wreckage and saw two people moving.

There were no flames or smoke, according to the 911 report.

The 911 report states Federal Aviation Administration towers at the Erie International Airport and Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport reported they were not aware of any distress signals.

State and federal officials were at the crash site Tuesday morning continuing their investigation. Lt. Brian Holt of the patrol’s Southington post said all information has been turned over to the FAA.

A call made to the Oberlin office of the FAA was not answered Tuesday afternoon.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today