Plane propeller stopped spinning before crash landing at Sacramento golf course, NTSB says

A pilot noticed the propeller on his single-engine plane was no longer spinning moments before he was forced into an emergency landing in August, crashing at a golf course in North Sacramento.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report of the Aug. 4 plane crash at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex on Fulton Avenue in Del Paso Park.

Video of the crash shows rush out of the way as the small blue and white Piper Cherokee Arrow airplane skidded on the ground near a parking lot and hit the exterior wall of a golf pro shop. Authorities said the pilot suffered minor injuries in the crash, which occurred about 1:15 p.m. that day.

Before takeoff from nearby McClellan Airport, the pilot told investigators he completely refueled both fuel tanks at McClellan, according to the report. During takeoff, the pilot confirmed he had takeoff power set to 39 inches of manifold pressure.

Shortly after the airplane lifted off the ground, the engine sputtered, the NTSB reported. The pilot then noticed the manifold pressure indicated about 31 inches, and the plane was at an altitude of about 500 feet mean sea level.

The pilot told investigators started turning the plane back to the airport as soon as he noticed the propeller had stopped spinning. He then turned the fuel boost pump to the “high” position and declared an emergency with the local air traffic control tower, according to the NTSB report.

The pilot of a small plane made an emergency landing at Haggin Oaks Golf Course on Sunday, Aug. 4, said the Sacramento Fire Department. It slid across a putting green to rest at the course Super Shop. No injuries were reported.
The pilot of a small plane made an emergency landing at Haggin Oaks Golf Course on Sunday, Aug. 4, said the Sacramento Fire Department. It slid across a putting green to rest at the course Super Shop. No injuries were reported.

The pilot realized he would not make it back to the airport, so he initiated a forced landing at the golf course. The NTSB said the plane struck the ground and slid into the building, coming to rest upright. Both wings on the plane were substantially damaged.

Security camera video showed the pilot maneuvered the plane to avoid hitting a tree, but the wing struck the ground, leaving a huge divot as it slid across the practice putting green. It stopped at the course pro shop, making minor contact with the building.

Capt. Justin Sylvia, a spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department, said the pilot did suffer minor cuts to his hand and did not need further medical treatment. Witnesses saw the pilot get out of the plane on his own.

A final report from federal investigators is expected next year.