Captain

Experimental Aircraft Crashes Into Lehigh Valley Creek

An experimental plane crashed into a Lehigh County creek Friday morning leaving the pilot injured.

The yellow Zenith CH750 -- described by the company as a "light sport utility" aircraft that comes in "an easy-to-build kit -- went down into the Little Lehigh Creek in Allentown around 11 a.m., said the Federal Aviation Administration.

The creek is a short distance from Queen City Airport and Interstate 78. Officials didn't reveal if the plane took off from Queen City.

A jogger witnessed the plane go down, said Allentown Police Capt. Tony Alsleban. The pilot -- who was alone on the plane -- was trapped for about 15 minutes before being rescued and taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest while alert. Authorities didn't reveal the pilot's exact condition.

The wrecked aircraft remained partially underwater in the creek for hours. It leaked some fuel into the water and crews set up floating buoys in an attempt to contain any spill, said police.

The FAA said it planned to investigate.
 

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