Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration continued their investigation today after a Canonsburg man crashed his single-engine plane into a field near the Washington County Airport Thursday afternoon.
Lloyd Scarrow, 43, was transported by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian after crashing his Beechcraft Bonanza into a cattle field along Jolly School Road in Buffalo. A spokeswoman for UPMC Presbyterian said today she had no information on Mr. Scarrow, meaning he is either no longer at the hospital or has asked that information about his condition not be released.
The crash occurred shortly before 2 p.m. about two miles from the airport, where Mr. Scarrow had taken off a half-hour earlier, according to county airport operations assistant Beverly Dellaria.
Though initial reports indicated that the plane landed upright and was not heavily damaged, first responders on scene said the plane was "totaled," and was missing its landing gear and propeller. Both wings and the plane's fuselage also sustained significant damage, witnesses said.
Firefighters from South Franklin, Buffalo and Claysville responded. They said Mr. Scarrow suffered head trauma and facial injuries.
The cause of the crash was not known late Thursday, and there were no other injuries reported.
Ms. Dellaria said Mr. Scarrow was not in radio contact with the airport after taking off. She said Mr. Scarrow recently moved to the area and had been keeping the plane in a hangar at the airport.
Trooper Joseph Christy of the state police said airport officials told them that Mr. Scarrow did not have a flight plan registered, meaning Mr. Scarrow was likely practicing landing and taking off when he crashed.
Records from the FAA for the plane indicate it is owned by Mr. Scarrow.
The crash marked the second plane crash in two days in the region. On Wednesday morning, a Beechcraft Bonanza carrying two middle schoolers their teacher, and the pilot crashed after failing to take off at Rock Airport in West Deer, injuring all onboard.
The Associated Press reported that a 14-year-old injured in that crash faces faces a long recovery after breaking his neck in three places.
The father of Matthew Strenkowski said the boy also fractured vertebrae in his back and suffered a bad cut to his leg.
Authorities are also investigating that crash.
First Published: May 13, 2011, 3:45 p.m.
