Craig Davis, Chief
137 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Ashland Police and Fire Respond After Ultralight Plane is Ditched in Reservoir
Single Person Craft — Pilot Walks Away Unhurt
ASHLAND — Chief Craig Davis reports that the Ashland Police and Fire Departments responded Wednesday afternoon after the pilot of an ultralight aircraft made a crash landing in the Ashland Reservoir.
Rescuers responded at 4:30 to the Reservoir, located off Spring Street after receiving reports of an aircraft down in the water. Upon arrival, officers and firefighters found that the pilot of a single-passenger ultralight had already exited the aircraft and was unhurt.
According to the pilot, he had taken off from Marlborough Airport and lost all power as he was flying over the Reservoir. This forced him to make a crash landing, ditching the aircraft in the water.
Because the aircraft is classified as an ultralight, it is not known at this hour of the Federal Aviation Authority will conduct an investigation. The plane carried fewer than 5 gallons of fuel, so there is no serious risk to the environment. There was also no fire.
The pilot, a 48-year-old Hopkinton man, declined medical treatment.
The incident is under investigation by the Ashland Police Department. The Massachusetts State Police and the Department of Conservation and Recreation responded to assist.
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