WOODVILLE TWP. — Federal aviation investigators and local authorities are investigating a single-engine plane crash that seriously injured a Texas pilot and caused a fuel spill in Sandusky County on Thursday afternoon.
The crash occurred at about 2:35 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Fostoria Road, according to the Fremont Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The pilot, identified as 64-year-old Clifton E. Green of Fort Worth, Texas, was flying a 1965 Mooney M20C single-engine aircraft northbound toward Michigan when the plane began experiencing mechanical difficulties.
Green, who was wearing his seatbelt harness at the time of the crash, sustained serious injuries. Emergency crews transported him to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment. No other occupants were reported on board,and no injuries were reported on the ground.
Following the impact, jet fuel leaked from the aircraft into the surrounding field. Troopers notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to respond to and assess the fuel spill.