Pilot escapes serious injury in Wis. plane crash

HUMBOLDT, Wis. (AP) — Authorities say a pilot escaped serious injury when his small homebuilt plane crashed shortly after takeoff in northeastern Wisconsin.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department says the pilot told authorities he lost power shortly takeoff from a small private airstrip near Humboldt, and attempted to land in an adjacent field. The landing gear collapsed on touchdown and the plane skidded on its fuselage before coming to rest about noon Saturday.

The 60-year-old Green Bay man, whose name was not released, suffered only minor injuries. He was treated at the scene.

The plane was declared a total loss at $25,000.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate.