Plane flips at Fallbrook Community Airpark; elderly occupants escape with minor injuries

FALLBROOK – A light plane crashed off the end of a runway and flipped over after landing at Fallbrook Community Airpark today but the 79-year-old pilot and his passenger emerged largely unscathed, authorities reported.

The aviation accident occurred shortly after 1 p.m., said Capt. Rich Berry of the North County Fire Protection District. The flier and his 77-year-old companion were able to get out of the upside-down aircraft on their own and did not require hospital treatment for minor injuries, Berry said.

It was not immediately clear why the pilot lost control of the plane.