ST. GEORGE — A man walked away from a plane crash at Flat Top Mountain on Sunday.
The pilot departed from Mackie Ranch Airfield in Enterprise in a single-engine Cessna, traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Lacagnina told St. George News.
The pilot reportedly told deputies that he hit a downdraft and couldn’t gain altitude, crashing into a vegetated area south of Enterprise.
Responders confirmed the crash via a Telematic Alarm crash notification. Airlife Utah from Cedar City, a Department of Public Safety Helicopter Star 9, Washington County Sheriff Deputies, a search and rescue team and Enterprise Fire and Rescue were dispatched, according to a news release issued by Washington Cunty Sheriff Sgt. Lucas Alfred.
Fire and rescue arrived at the scene first, shortly before 5 p.m., Lacagnina said. Search and rescue arrived shortly after, accessing the crash approximately 600 feet off a dirt road through heavy grass, sagebrush and shrubbery.
The pilot was the only occupant and declined medical treatment at the scene, Lacagnina said.
“He didn’t want any medical attention — just wanted to be on his way,” he said.
No citations were issued and no charges have been filed, Lacagnina said.
Any investigation into the incident, if needed, would be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board or the Federal Aviation Administration.
This report is based on statements from law enforcement officials and first responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Washington County Search and Rescue responded to almost one dozen incidents over the holiday weekend. For more on the weekend rescue roundup, click here.
Updated, May 30, 10:34 a.m., to add additional information received from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Photo Gallery
A Google map image of the location of the plane crash on Sunday, May 29, near Enterprise, Utah using GPS coordinates reported by emergency responders | Photo by Ron Chaffin, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 29, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Danny Smith, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 29, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Danny Smith, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Enterprise Fire Department, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Enterprise Fire Department, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Enterprise Fire Department, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Enterprise Fire Department, St. George News
The scene of a plane crash on Flat Top Mountain, Utah, May 28, 2023 | Photo courtesy of the Enterprise Fire Department, St. George News
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