A pilot walked away uninjured after the plane he was flying crashed just after takeoff at Harnett Regional Airport, the North Carolina Highway Patrol said Thursday.
Just before 4:30 p.m., troopers responded to reports of a plane crash in Harnett County. The pilot involved in the crash has been identified as 67-year-old Gilberto Guitarte of Cary, according to according to Sgt. Jimmy Stahl with the Highway Patrol.
Guitarte told troopers that the plane skidded to the right of the runway just after takeoff, Stahl said.
Stahl said that Guitarte provided a statement to troopers and the FAA that the brakes on the plane locked, which caused the plane to skid off the runway.
The runway was restricted for an hour while troopers investigated the crash. The FAA has been notified and will continue with the investigation, said Stahl.
Guitarte was the only person on the plane. He was not injured in the crash and refused to be transported to the hospital Stahl said.
It is unclear how long Guitarte has been flying, Stahl.
Staff writer Melody Brown-Peyton can be reached at [email protected] or 910-486-3568.
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