A Palmer man was severely injured at the Talkeetna airport Sunday evening when a small plane crashed off the end of the runway, troopers say.
The crash of a red-and-white American Champion Citabria 7ECA left the plane's pilot, 54-year-old David L. Meyers, in serious condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center on Monday morning. The crash of his plane was first reported to troopers at about 8:45 p.m. Sunday, according to a Monday dispatch.
Troopers and medics responding to the initial 911 call couldn't immediately find the crash site and began a search of the area.
"After approximately 20 minutes of searching, Meyers and the aircraft were located in the trees near the north end of the runway," troopers reported. "Meyers was conscious and alert but had suffered serious injuries."
A LifeMed air ambulance flew Meyers to an Anchorage hospital. The crash left the plane with extensive damage, troopers said.
Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board's chief Alaska investigator, said Monday that Meyers had apparently crashed into trees during a landing attempt at the airport, based on word from troopers at the scene.
"It sounded like he was landing and tried to do a go-around," Johnson said.