On Saturday evening, May 16, 2015 at 7:23pm, Sharps Chapel VFD was dispatched to a reported plane crash at a privately owned landing strip located off Tanglewood Road near Old Valley Road.
Rescue 51 was the first unit on the scene to find the pilot had exited the plane, a small 4 passenger fixed wing, with no apparent injuries from the incident. Engine 51 arrived on scene as well as units from the Union County Rescue Squad, Union County EMS, EMA and the Union County Sheriff’s Department.
The pilot, William C. Billinger age 66, was attempting to land the plane in the field when he lost control during the landing as the left wing struck a tree. The plane then darted around several yards in the field, stopping near the edge of the woodland. Billinger was checked out at the scene by Union County EMS where he refused transport with no apparent injuries. No other occupants were in the aircraft.
An FAA Investigator responded to the scene early Sunday morning to conduct an investigation in the incident.
