NTSB: Harrison Ford's Plane Lost Engine Power Before Crashing In Venice Golf Course
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A preliminary report confirmed Tuesday that Harrison Ford's vintage aircraft crashed last week after losing engine power, forcing the actor to land at Penmar Golf Course in Venice just after takeoff from Santa Monica Airport.
Ford, 72, was hospitalized with fair to moderate injuries Thursday after crashing a Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR into the fairway at the golf course, 1233 Rose Ave.
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According to the report from the NTSB, Santa Monica Airport's Air Traffic Control Tower reported that following takeoff from runway 21, the pilot – Ford – advised of an engine failure and requested an immediate return to the airport. When Ford turned the plane left back toward the airport, the craft struck the top of a tall tree just before landing into the open area at the golf course. The crash site was about 800 feet southwest of the approach end of Santa Monica Airport's runway 3.
The plane, a small World War II-era craft registered to MG Aviation Inc., sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage, according to the NTSB.
Ford was the sole occupant of the airplane, which did not have a flight plane filed, NTSB officials said.
Officials say the plane was taken to a secure location for examination, and Ford continues to recover from the injuries he sustained in the crash.
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