Unregistered ultralight aircraft crashes near Dayton airport on Wednesday morning

UPDATE:

An unregistered ultralight aircraft suffered “significant damage” when it crashed near Mark Anton Airport in Dayton Wednesday morning, according to a report from the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the report, the pilot, identified as Earl Williams, called 911 immediately after the crash in a field near a fence line.

Williams told officials he took off in his experimental Kolb ultralight aircraft at about 7:45 a.m. and flew for about an hour “when the engine stopped.”

Williams said he tried to return to the airport but was unable to do so and was forced to try to land the plane in a field.

Williams said he injured his right arm and hip.

EARLIER:

We are working to gather more details about an unregistered ultralight aircraft that crashed near the Dayton Airport in Rhea County Wednesday morning.

When the plane crashed around 8 a.m., only the pilot was on board, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The pilot’s condition is currently unknown to us.

The FAA told us that it does not investigate such incidents.

Rhea County authorities told us the aircraft was a “small kit-like glider.”

We are reaching out to local authorities for further details and will update this story as soon as we have them.

Count on us to keep you updated.