HILLSBORO, Ore. -- Two men were injured when a small plane crashed into a field Thursday afternoon, about four miles from Hillsboro airport.
The plane landed in the area of Southwest 331st Avenue and Tualatin Valley Highway at around 4:15 p.m., according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
The pilot, 88-year-old Gennaro Avolio of Hood River, was flown to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center with serious injuries. His passenger, 73-year-old Gary Hagstrom of Canby, was taken by ambulance to Emanuel, where he was listed in critical condition Friday morning.
Photos: Small plane crashes in Hillsboro
Photos: Small plane crashes in Hillsboro
The plane was a YAK-52 and experienced engine trouble, according to Allen Kenitzer with the Federal Aviation Administration.
James Wart was selling fruit nearby when he saw the plane flying low. He said the plane came down as if it was heading for a runway.
“That was the amazing part, really. How control that landing was until he hit the tree," Wart said.
Last weekend, a small plane made an emergency landing on Highway 14 in Vancouver. No one was hurt and the plane was towed away.
