Sailplane makes emergency landing at youth soccer practice field

A sailplane made an emergency landing today at a Heartwell Park youth soccer training area, scattering debris and striking a female pedestrian in her 40s who was walking her dog. 

According to the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD), both the elderly pilot and pedestrian “were transported in moderate, but stable conditions” to a local hospital.

Lara Boswell, a resident next to the park, didn’t witness the crash, but saw both the pilot and pedestrian being transported.

“We saw the fire department transport two people, one was awake and the other was unconscious… I’m surprised it was able to land here with all the trees and wires,” Boswell said. 

_{Sailplane N8183K after making an emergency landing around 4 p.m. at Heartwell Park in Long Beach, Calif. today. Nearby youth soccer and baseball teams continued training despite the crash. (Jacyn King)}

Donovan Joubert, a Long Beach Police Department officer at the scene, shared that the aircraft was going east and explained how the pedestrian was hit.

“(The aircraft) clipped the pedestrian as she was walking her dog. I’m unaware if the dog is okay,” Joubert said.

The body of the aircraft was mostly intact, but the damaged landing gear and other parts of the aircraft were scattered at the crash site.

_{Debris from sailplane N8183K after making an emergency landing around 4 p.m. at Heartwell Park in Long Beach, Calif. today. The debris scattered across one of the soccer practice field, resulting in a large area at the park being taped off. (Diosa Hippolyta)}

The plane was returning to Compton/Woodley Airport from French Valley Airport according to an update sent out by the LBFD.

An investigation as to why the aircraft made an emergency landing is still ongoing.

_{A police officer opens the door of his vehicle at the sailplane crash site at Heartwell Park in Long Beach, Calif. today. (Isaiah Ryan)}