Press release from Mono County Sheriff’s Department

Mammoth Lakes, CA – At approximately 12:35 PM on Thursday, December 3, 2015, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department received a call reporting an airplane down at the Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH). MLPD, along with Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, Long Valley Fire Department, Mono County Sheriff’s Office, and airport personnel responded to the scene.

Photo courtesy Mammoth Lakes Police Department

A Piper Mirage attempted to take-off from the runway with winds estimated at approximately 35 knots. On board was the pilot, Gerald Blank, and his passenger, Lawrence Gallego – both of San Diego. The pilot sustained minor injuries when the aircraft hit the ground and plowed through the segmented circle at mid-field.

The FAA and NTSB have been notified of this accident and will be conducting their investigations into the crash. The Mammoth Yosemite airport re-opened at 2:30 PM.

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Officers/Agencies Involved:  Mammoth Lakes Police Department, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department, Long Valley Fire Department, Mono County Sheriff’s Office, Mammoth Yosemite Airport Personnel