Exited The Runway And Hit A Ditch During Takeoff Roll

A 1950s-vintage F4U Corsair was involved in a runway excursion early Tuesday morning, resulting in damage to the aircraft prop, landing gear and wings of the aircraft.

The pilot, identified as 70-year-old John O'Connor, received only minor injuries and refused medical treatment, according to a report from television station KMVT. He was the only occupant of the plane.

The aircraft was attempting to take off from Jerome County Airport in Jerome, ID, according to a news release from the Jerome County Sheriff's Office. A Sheriff's deputy said the airplane was departing to the east but exited the runway before becoming airborne, hitting a ditch and then "belly flopping" back onto the ground. Deputy Robert Nicholson said that there was no fire, but the brakes appeared to be smoking.

"The pilot appeared to be either very minor injury, or no injury," Nicholson said. "Maybe a slight abrasion to the hand, but that was about it that I observed. I didn't know anything else that was too damaging."

Nicholson added that the pilot may have sought medical treatment after being examined and released by paramedics who responded to the scene.

(Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Source report
Source report