Small plane crashes in Catawba County near airport

A small plane crashed in a backyard just outside of the airport in Catawba County Thursday afternoon, officials say.

The crash happened in Maiden, North Carolina, miles from Laneys Airport. Maiden’s rescue squad and the Bandy fire department responded to the scene and said the passenger and pilot had only minor injuries.

Just after 12:15 p.m., a single-engine plane was attempting to land at the airport when it “overshot the runway, attempted to take back off, struck several trees, and crashed into the backyard of this residence,” according to the NC State Highway Patrol. The residence is located on South Oliver’s Cross Road and drivers were asked to avoid the area.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the cause of the crash, officials said.

Kallie Cox

The Charlotte Observer

Kallie Cox covers public safety for The Charlotte Observer. They grew up in Springfield, Illinois and attended school at SIU Carbondale. They reported on police accountability and LGBTQ immigration barriers for the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. And, they previously worked at The Southern Illinoisan before moving to Charlotte. Support my work with a digital subscription