Single-engine plane crashes on California highway; pilot suffers minor injuries

A small airplane crashed on a California highway Friday night in Modesto, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Tom Olsen, public information officer with the California Highway Patrol, said the pilot, a 59-year-old man from Santa Cruz who was flying solo, suffered minor injuries, the Modesto Bee reported.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Piper Dakota, single-engine plane reported a rough running engine and tried to divert to Modesto shortly before crashing and catching fire around 7:48 p.m., KXTV reported.

Highway Patrol officials said no vehicles were hit by the plane, although the plane "did sideswipe something," the Bee reported.

Firefighters in Modesto and Ceres responded to help put out the fire, KGO reported.

The Highway Patrol is still investigating the incident.

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Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk