On 9-9-2013 at about 11:25am, Hemet Police Officers responded to Hemet Ryan Airport following a report of a plane crash.
The investigation revealed a 71 year old resident of San Diego California, was piloting his single engine Grumman fixed wing airplane when he experienced engine trouble. The pilot said the cockpit filled with smoke, and he attempted to land the aircraft at Hemet Ryan Airport.
He told officers a helicopter was occupying the runway at the time, and he had to make a “hard landing.” The aircraft collided with the asphalt runway, spun around, and came to rest in the dirt alongside the northern edge of the runway. The pilot and his 68 year old passenger suffered minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to an area hospital.
The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and responded a short time later. The runway at Hemet Ryan Airport was closed as of this writing pending further investigation of the incident.