Plane Based At Johnston County Airport Crash Lands At Ocracoke Airport

Photo courtesy National Park Service

A single engine plane that departed from the Johnston County Airport in Smithfield this morning (Monday) made a crashing land around Noon at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Ocracoke Island Airport.

Two people were on board the fixed-wing airplane. The pilot and passenger sustained only minor injuries, according to Michael Barber, Public Information Officer at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

The plane crash landed about 30 yards from the runway.  Both occupants were able to walk away from the crash.

Photo courtesy National Park Service

Johnston County Airport Director Phil Lanier confirmed the airplane is based out of the Smithfield airport.  A search of the plane’s registration number in the FAA database indicates it is an experimental aircraft built in 2008 and registered to Allen W. Sawyer of Garner.

The National Park Service Rangers, Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department, Hyde County Sheriff’s Office, and Hyde County Emergency Medical Services responded to the accident scene.