The pilot of a small plane is reported injured after a crash earlier tonight in Ward Hill—atop a hill popular with fireworks watchers.
A spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration told WHAV, “A Pipistrel Sinus aircraft made a forced landing in a field 1.5 miles northeast of Lawrence Municipal Airport around 8:30 p.m. Only the pilot was on board.” The crash site was identified as Crescent Farm, off 226 Willow Avenue, near a FAA beacon.
Haverhill Police were alerted to the crash by officials at Lawrence Airport, according to Haverhill Police Capt. Robert P. Pistone. “Haverhill Police Department patrol found the plane at the farm. The pilot had minor injuries and emergency medical services responded,” Pistone told WHAV.
The name of the pilot and the extent of his injuries was not immediately released. There were no reports of injuries on the ground.
Longtime Ward Hill resident and historian Steven D. Sardella said there have been earlier plane crashes at the site, one in 1947, when it was known as Blackadar’s Farm.
Listen to 97.9 WHAV FM for continuing developments.