By Staff
LADDER TRUCK n Ultralight pilot Richard Gray was uninjured Wednesday in an accident on Red Barron Road. Photo by Paula MerrittThe Meridian Star
By Steve Gillespie/The Meridian Star
July 5, 2001
Richard Gray, 60, the pilot of an ultralight aircraft that crashed into a treetop Wednesday, walked away from the accident uninjured.
Meridian firefighters used a ladder truck to extricate Gray from the tree limbs and bring him safely to the ground. The accident happened about 5:20 p.m. in a field across from Gray's home on Red Barron Road.
Gray said the crash occurred when the plane's tail boom broke. The boom is attached to the stabilizer on the tail.
He called the incident a freak accident.
Gray has flown ultralights for eight years and is a basic flight instructor for ultralights. He said Wednesday's accident was his first.
He said a crane truck will be used today to remove the 425-pound aircraft from the tree.
Steve Gillespie is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3233, or e-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.