Injured ultralight aircraft pilot identified as Sebastopol resident

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office identified the 73-year-old Sebastopol man who was injured after he crashed an ultralight aircraft into a Valley Ford field Sunday evening as Lynn Deedler.

Deedler, a retired Christmas tree grower and commercial building contractor, suffered serious leg injuries after striking a power line and crashing about 6 p.m. He was in fair condition at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Tuesday.

The ultralight recreational aircraft was similar to a hang glider, but with a small motor and propeller, said Sonoma County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Raasch, who was at the scene Sunday. The wings were made out of aluminum poles and synthetic fabric with the pilot sitting in an open seat.

Deedler has been very active in Sebastopol civic life and was on the design review board for many years, said planning director Kenyon Webster. He has also been an advocate for bike paths in the city.

Reached Tuesday evening, Deedler’s wife, Barbara, declined to comment, saying the family wished for privacy as they focused on her husband’s recovery.