Plane Went Down In Yuba River

A pilot flying a Cubcrafters Carbon Cub was injured Sunday when he struck power lines and went down in the Yuba River east of Marysville, CA.

According to a Yuba County Sheriff's Office news release, A witness that was shooting on private property along the river called 911 to report seeing a low flying plane on fire go down into the river.

The plane’s single occupant, 66 year old pilot Timothy Bennett, was able to exit the cockpit of the plane and was sitting on top of the aircraft which was in approximately 3 feet of water in a side channel along the main channel of the Yuba River. He was conscious and talking, as the witness called for rescue.

CHP helicopter H20 responded to the area and rescued the pilot from the plane. They transported him to higher ground nearby where other rescue personnel were waiting to treat the pilot. He was transported by ambulance to a Sacramento area hospital for treatment of what appeared to be minor scrapes and burns, and a possible broken ankle.

The witness reported having seen the small plane, a “Piper Cub”, circling the area prior to hearing a small explosion and then seeing the plane on fire quickly losing altitude before crashing. FAA records indicated the airplane is a Cubcrafters CC11-160 Carbon Cub. The initial investigation indicates the plane struck power lines in the area.

The plane departed the Lincoln airport this morning and the pilot was reportedly on a scenic recreational flight, according to the Sheriff's Office report.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: sheriff.co.yuba.ca.us/Services/story.aspx?id=402