National Transportation Security Board releases preliminary findings that confirm engine failure forced the 'Star Wars' actor to make an emergency landing.
- March 11, 2015
AceShowbiz -
An initial report regarding Harrison Ford's plane crash was released Tuesday, March 10 by National Transportation Security Board. According to investigators, his aircraft "sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing after take-off from the Santa Monica Municipal Airport."
"The pilot initiated a left turn back towards the airport; the airplane subsequently struck the top of a tall tree prior to impacting the ground in an open area of a golf course, about 800 feet southwest of the approach end of runway 3," NTSB explained. The pilot was not named but Ford's representative confirms it was the actor.
The investigators opened up that the "Star Wars" actor was flying his single-engine plane under visual flight rules and was not required to file a flight plan. The reason why his World War II aircraft's engine failed before crash-landing at the Penmar Golf Club in Santa Monica hasn't been revealed pending a further investigation.
The plane sustained "substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage," while Harrison Ford suffered injuries that NTSB classified as "serious." He remains in hospital after reportedly undergoing surgery for broken ankle and pelvis after the accident. His representative assures fans the actor "is expected to make a full recovery."
