September 30, 2023 - Madera County Sheriff’s Office officials reported on September 28, 2023, shortly after 4:00 p.m., the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call regarding a small plane crash in the area of Avenue 12 and Road 32 in Madera County. It was reported that the pilot was out of the plane and uninjured.

Deputies, along with CHP and EMS, responded to the area and located the site of a plane crash on Avenue 13 near the high-speed rail. They found the pilot conscious and he explained he was flying his experimental plane when the canopy of the plane ripped off due to wind conditions. While making an emergency landing, he was forced to divert from hitting telephone wires, causing the plane to flip, ending up in a ditch. He was able to remove himself from the plane and wait for emergency personnel.

The pilot was evaluated and cleared by EMS. The crash investigation has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Source & photo: Madera County Sheriff’s Office