Official: Pilot attempted emergency landing at Butler County airport when plane ‘quit’ just after takeoff

BUTLER COUNTY — Many questions remain unanswered after a single-engine plane crashed Tuesday morning about 100 yards from the runway at Butler County Regional Airport.

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The pilot’s name and his destination were not reported when Hamilton Fire Department Chief Mark Mercer held a press conference about 90 minutes after the crash that was reported at 9:45 a.m.

The pilot attempted an emergency landing after his plane “quit” just after taking off from the airport, located at 2820 East Airport Drive, Mercer said.

The pilot turned the plane around, but was unable to safely land on the runway, according to the fire chief.

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Witnesses said the plane went sideways, then crashed, but never caught fire.

The pilot, who was the only person in the plane, was extricated by Hamilton fire crews and airlifted to University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Mercer said.

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His condition was not released late Tuesday afternoon, but investigators said he was conscious when they reached him.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the crash.