Pilot survives plane crash that sparked fires in Lake County

A small plane struck a power line before crash landing in brush in northeastern Lake County Tuesday night, fire officials said.

The pilot was able to walk away from the Cessna, said Northshore Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Mike Ciancio. A sheriff’s deputy walked the man down a hill to a waiting REACH helicopter, which transported him to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment, Ciancio said.

The pilot was on his way to San Jose at about 9:30 p.m. when he got lost over Lake County, said sheriff’s Lt. Steve Brooks. The plane developed engine trouble before striking the power line, Brooks said.

Two small brush fires were sparked by the incident, likely ignited by a high-voltage power line struck by the plane, Ciancio said. The fires were quickly extinguished.

Federal aviation investigators will be examining the crash scene, Ciancio said. PG&E was on the scene Wednesday repairing the power line, he said.