Small Plane Crash into Tree
Photograph shows small plane crashed into a tree next to a sign advertising flight lessons.
Claim: Photograph shows small plane crashed into a tree next to a sign advertising flight lessons.
Status: True.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, 2007]
Origins: Although the above-displayed photograph looks like the setup for a bit of humor to be displayed in the background of a film or as scenery at amusement park
The plane’s registration number (N6487J) identifies it as a Piper Cherokee registered to Vision Real Estate Management Co., Inc., of Colorado Springs, Colorado. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that plane was involved in an accident at Meadow Lake Airport near Colorado Springs on
ACFT ON DEPARTURE, LOST POWER, ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE, MEADOWLAKE AIRPORT, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
The local news media also covered this crash:
The pilot was the only person on board, and he survived. His injuries were minor with a cut in his head. He was released at the scene. Investigators said the pilot was practicing take-offs and landings around The crash caused the power to go out for about 100 homes in the area. The airport is located about 15 miles east of Colorado Springs near Falcon, Colo. The plane remained in the tree until National Transportation Safety Board investigators could examine it.
A plane landed in a tree Thursday night at Meadowlake Airport in El Paso County.
The outfit named on the background sign, American Aviation, does operate out of Meadow Lake Airport, offering aircraft storage and flight lessons.
Finally, here’s a shot of the scene from a different angle:

Last updated: 16 January 2007
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