Pilot survives plane crash after wreck on Visalia Municipal Airport runway
An airplane crash sent first responders rushing to Visalia Municipal Airport Friday night.
Here's what we know, as of Saturday morning.
Around 9:40 p.m. Friday, police officers and firefighters were called to 9501 W. Airport Drive for a report of a down plane. When emergency crews arrived, they were told a privately owned airplane was taking off when the plane suddenly crashed into the runway.
Photos of the wreckage released by Visalia Police Department show a bent wheel and propeller.
The pilot was the only person in the airplane and wasn't injured, according to police.
"The cause of the crash appears to be equipment failure," said Liz Jones, Visalia public safety spokeswoman.
Jones said more information will be released at a later date. The FAA and NTSB will handle the investigation and conclusions could take months.
The Beech A35 propeller plane appears to be in the middle of a sale, according to the FAA. The plane was unregistered, but Tyler Cazares had applied to register the plane last August. The FAA gave the man an extension through January 2023, but it's unclear what delayed the process.
"This aircraft's registration status may not be suitable for operation," according to the FAA's registry. The plane was last owned by Dennis Nicholas of El Paso, Texas.
The plane had flown from Oceano to San Luis Obispo earlier that night. It's unclear when the pilot left for Visalia, but the plane was likely heading to Kern County where registration papers show its owner lived.
There have been several plane crashes reported in Tulare County over the years.
In December 2021, four people died after a plane crashed west of Visalia Municipal Airport.
Based on flight tracking apps, it appears the pilot tried to return to the airport shortly after takeoff. Photos of the wreckage show a crumpled cabin and debris in front of an orchard, near the Visalia Water Reclamation Facility on Avenue 288.
The four victims included 78-year-old David Chelini, his two daughters, 46-year-old Karen Baker and 48-year-old Donna Chelini, and his nephew, 58-year-old Steven Chelini.
The single-engine Beech V35 was registered to David Chelini, according to FAA records.
Just a few months prior, a decorated California National Guardsman died in a tragic airplane crash near Porterville Municipal Airport.
Lt. Col. Billy “Taz” Sullivan with the 144th Fighter Wing was flying a small kit plane when the aircraft's engine sputtered and nose-dived into the ground shortly after takeoff, witnesses said. He was headed back to Fresno.
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This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Pilot survives plane crash after wreck on Visalia Airport runway
