Pilot Reportedly Avoided A Field Where Children Were Playing

A 1968 Beech 58 Baron (similar aircraft pictured) went down in an elementary school playground in Cypress, TX about 1900 CST Thursday night. The pilot, who was the only person on board the airplane, suffered serious injuries, according to the FAA preliminary report.

FAA registration information shows the airplane is registered to United Aviation Associates LLC of Vicksburg, MS. It's last airworthiness certificate was issued in 2003, and was set to expire i 2013.

Television station KBMT in Beaumont, TX, reports that State Trooper John Sampa said the pilot was enroute from West Houston to Vicksburg when he began to experience engine trouble. A nearby field, his best apparent option for an off-airport landing, was not available because of some children playing baseball there. So Sampa told the station he tried to land nearby, went through some fences and came to a stop on the Warner Elementary School playground.

The pilot was transported to a local hospital. A good Samaritan who pulled him from the plane said he "seemed to be conscious, OK."

No damage was done to the school, and classes resumed normally Friday.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov