California
Video shows plane crash on busy California golf course, slide across green into pro shop
A pilot managed to walk away almost unscathed after video captured him crash a plane on a busy California golf course Sunday afternoon.
The frightening landing took place at Haggin Oaks Golf Course, about eight miles northeast of Sacramento, local and federal officials said.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Rick Breitenfeldt told USA TODAY the single-engine Piper PA28 crashed about 1:15 p.m. local time on the course, just south of McClellan Airfield.
The Sacramento Fire Department responded to the scene and crews found the plane “that emergency landed on the golf course and came to rest up against the pro shop.”
Video captures chaotic landing: Watch
Video shows plane skidding across golf course during emergency landing
A small plane had to make an emergency landing at a golf course in Sacramento, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries.
Video shows plane hit ground, slide sideways across greens into pro shop
Wild footage obtained by USA TODAY shows the moment the plane hits the ground and slides sideways across a portion of the green and onto concrete.
The plane then slams into the side of the pro shop.
“The pilot had minor injuries and was able to walk away from this incident,” the fire department posted on X.
No one else was injured.
Have you seen her? Army offering $10K reward for information on missing 19-year-old pregnant woman
Nearly 200 people were on the golf course when plane crashed
Haggin Oaks Golf Course Vice President of Retail and Marketing Ken Morton Jr. told USA TODAY there were roughly 200 people out on the golf course at the time the plane crashed.
As of Monday, a monetary damage estimate to the pro shop was not yet known, Morton said.
“We haven’t yet been able to get into the building and take a look at what the putting green rebuild will look like due to the plane needing to be refueled,” he said.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, Breitenfeldt said.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.