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A Canadian-Registered Ultralight Plane Crashes in Western Watauga on Friday Evening; Pilot Walks Away

Photo by Jesse Wood

By Jesse Wood

July 6, 2012. A Canadian-registered Ultralight crashed in the Laurel Creek area in Western Watauga on Friday evening around 6:30 p.m. The pilot, a male and also the lone person on board, suffered minor injuries and walked away from the plane crash that landed in steep, rocky and wooded area.

At about 7:00 p.m Friday, a slue of emergency vehicles, including State High Patrol, members of a volunteer fire department, Watauga Rescue and Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, descended upon Laurel Creek and Spice Creek roads. 

According to the Associated Press, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said he did not know the origins of the aircraft and that the agency doesn’t ordinarily investigate plane crashes involving Ultralights, which don’t have to meet the standards of aircraft. Local law enforcement will complete the investigation. 

Hours after the crash, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office deferred comment to the State Highway Patrol, which also declined to comment.