A pilot was taken to hospital after a small plane crashed onto the roof of a house in Fulshear, Texas, early Monday morning, startling the homeowners who were asleep inside. The incident occurred on Kitty Hawk Street in the Covey Trails neighbourhood shortly before 6am, according to local media reports.
Homeowners Woken by Loud Bang
The homeowner told ABC13 that they were in bed when they heard a "loud bang" as the aircraft struck the roof. The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that the pilot had been attempting to land at a nearby airstrip when the crash happened.
Firefighters arrived at the scene to find the pilot trapped inside the cockpit of the plane. Officials said crews first had to make the property safe because fuel was leaking from the aircraft, posing a fire and explosion risk.
Rescue and Injuries
Fulshear Fire Department Battalion Chief Ford Stein stated that firefighters isolated the home's electricity supply to reduce the risk before freeing the pilot. The pilot was transported to Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital with minor injuries. The homeowners were not hurt in the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a Piper J3C-65 and confirmed the pilot was the only person on board. The FAA said it will investigate the cause of the crash.
Community Context
Covey Trails is a gated community built around a grass runway where many residents own and fly aircraft. It is not yet known whether the pilot lived in the area.
