Pilot injured when small plane crashes into Connecticut River

CHARLESTOWN, N.H. (WCAX) - It appears a pilot escaped life-threatening injuries after crashing his plane into the Connecticut River Wednesday morning.

The single-engine prop plane went down at about 10 a.m. in Charlestown, New Hampshire, right near the boat launch on Lower Landing Road.

Authorities say the pilot, who was the only one on board, reported engine failure before the crash.

The plane was left in about 12 feet of water and just one wing was visible from the Charlestown shoreline Wednesday afternoon.

The pilot was able to swim toward the shore where rescuers got him the rest of the way in.

“He was kind of struggling but he was almost to shore by the time I got here. We had a couple police departments and bystanders here, threw a rope out to him and assisted him the rest of the way to the shore,” Charleston Assistant Fire Chief Shawn O’Hearne said.

We don’t yet know the pilot’s name or the extent of his injuries, but he was sent to the hospital.

A witness said the plane hit high-tension power lines that cross the river before going down into the water.

Power was cut off on both sides, and the lines were still submerged in the river Wednesday afternoon.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been called to investigate the crash.

Officials say at this time it does not appear that any fuel leaked into the river.

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