WARNER, New Hampshire — Two people who survived the crash of their small plane in a forest are “extremely lucky,” state officials said.
Warner officials say the man and woman onboard were taken to Concord Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Sunday night. Their names have not been released.
The American Champion Aircraft crashed Sunday evening near Stewart’s Peak in Harriman Chandler State Forest.
About 70 fire and rescue personnel responded to the call for help that came in at about 8:30 p.m., the Concord Monitor reports.
Authorities say it took the couple about an hour to find a cellphone in the wreckage and call for help.
Warner Fire Chief Ed Raymond said the plane crashed into heavy trees and broke into several pieces. He said one wing was caught in a tree about 30 feet above the ground.
Raymond said the pilot lost control while trying to turn around and fly back to Concord Municipal Airport and crashed in the peak’s rocky terrain. He said it took more than 50 rescuers to get the victims out the woods and to waiting ambulances.
“They’re extremely lucky, especially with the weather coming in right now,” Raymond said. “It’s getting pretty foggy up there.”
The Federal Aviation Administration said the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the likely cause of the crash.
This incident comes two days after the crash of a vintage World War II-era aircraft in the Hudson River in New York City while flying for a promotional shoot during Fleet Week, killing the lone pilot.