Small-engine & Occupants
SAFE at Santa’s Village
In the San Bernardino Mountains
By E T
Russell____ Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at approximately 11:30 A.M.,
the Twin Peaks Station and San Bernardino County Fire Personnel were dispatched
to Sky Park at Santa’s Village, distress call of a small aircraft with four
passengers aboard, emergency landing in the parking lot.
The small, single-engine aircraft later identified as a
Mooney, departed the San Bernardino Airport with destination the Big Bear
Airport at Big Bear Lake, California.
According to the pilot and occupants, the Mooney experienced
some severe downward drafts shortly after take-off. Unable to gain the proper
altitude to return to the San Bernardino Airport safely, the pilot made the
decision to perform an emergency landing on a dirt berm located in the northwest
corner of the parking lot.
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Twin Peaks Station and the Sheriff’s
Aviation Division also quickly responded to the scene.
All four occupants were able to exit the plane; although the pilot and front
passenger sustained minor injuries, while two rear passengers were unharmed.
EMT trained staff from Sky Park quickly rendered medical aid to the injured
parties and stabilized them. San Bernardino
County Fire Department-Running Springs Fire transported the two injured parties
to a local area hospital.
Sheriff Deputy Olivas of the San
Bernardino County Sheriff-Twin Peaks Station assisted with the investigation.
The National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB and the 
Federal Aviation Administration were notified of the incident and will be conducting an
investigation.
If anyone has additional information about the aircraft incident, please Sheriff
Deputy Olivas at the Twin Peaks Station 909-336-0600.