HICKORY, N.C. — A pilot was hurt Tuesday night after their Cessna 172 single-engine plane veered off a runway while landing at Hickory Regional Airport, officials say.
The pilot, Charles Smith Elker, was rescued by firefighters at about 8 p.m. and airlifted to a hospital. He was the only person onboard.
The plane, which was built in 1976, is owned by Saltair Aircraft Leasing and, according to flight records, was flown several times Tuesday above Hickory and Statesville.
“It echoes around here, but it sounded like boom,” said Virginia Moore, a neighbor.
Moore heard the plane crash behind her home in Hickory.
“They’ve had wrecks over there before,” she said. “I thought, ‘What in the world happened.” And then someone said something about a wing.”
There was damage to a wing, the propeller, and the landing gear.
A couple told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty they saw the plane flying just above the treetops near their home.
They prayed the pilot would make it to the airport.
“I seen the lights of the plane and then all of the sudden it went right over the tree line, and I thought it’s awful low,” said witness Toni Schronce.
Shortly before lunchtime, a wrecker company moved the damaged plane to a hangar.
“I’ve lived in this area for 60-some years, and I’m glad he made it to the runway,” said witness Jerry Schronce.
The runway was closed Wednesday morning while investigators were on the scene.
It reopened to flights in the afternoon as the investigation continues.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
No additional details have been made available.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
VIDEO: One hurt in plane crash at Hickory Regional Airport
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
