Fox Lake pilot injured in plane crash at Galt Airport

A 42-year-old pilot from Fox Lake was injured in a plane crash Saturday morning.

The man and a 15-year-old from Plainfield were on a plane that crashed at Galt Airport in unincorporated Greenwood, according to the McHenry County Sheriff’s office.

The pilot was taken by Flight for Life to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville with injuries that were not life-threatening. The passenger was checked by emergency medical staff on scene and released, police said.

It’s unknown why the twin-engine Air Cam aircraft crashed, FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said in an email. He said the plane crashed during takeoff, and the FAA’s investigation of the crash could take a few weeks.

The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District, Hebron-Alden-Greenwood Fire Protection District, Woodstock Fire Rescue District, Mercy Health Field Physician and police were called to the scene at 10:36 a.m., according to the release.

The fixed-wing, multi-engine Johnson Air Cam that crashed is registered to Two If By Sea LLC in Wilmington, Delaware, according to FAA records.

The airport was hosting its annual Barnstormer’s Day 2018 Fly-in and Drive-in when the crash occurred. The event features an old-style fly-in with a pancake breakfast, displays of vintage aircraft and more.

Crystal Lake resident Travis Patenaude had been at the event taking photos and was in the parking area when the crash occurred. He went back to see what had happened.

“From what I heard, the plane had lifted off and either the wind caught it or it tried to bank and hit some bushes along the side of the runway and started to cartwheel,” he said. “It’s supposed to be a nice event with all the old-style planes and things. I was taking pictures at end of runway all morning, and when I went to switch lenses, that is when the plane crashed.”

Gait Airport is a private airport that offer hangars, aircraft maintenance, a flight school and discovery flights, according to its website.