WASHINGTON — A small aircraft crash-landed at the edge of the Leesburg Executive Airport property in Virginia Saturday morning.
The crash-landing caused authorities to close Sycolin Road in both directions between Shreve Mill Road and Battlefield Parkway for the investigation. As of 1:50 p.m., the roadway has reopened.
The plane — identified by Virginia State police as a one-seat Sonex experimental aircraft — went down near 19976 Sycolin Road around 9:20 a.m., officials said.
According to police, Joseph R. Bryant, 53, of Goldendale, Washington took off from the airport bound for Georgia.
As the weather worsened about an hour into the flight, Bryant turned the craft around with the intention of landing back at Leesburg Airport.
But during his approach, engine trouble struck and he landed his plane in a nearby field.
Bryant was not injured.
The fixed wing single-engine plane was registered in Washington state, Federal Aviation Administration records show.
Loudoun County Fire said there were no injuries.
Despite the rough landing, there were no hazards, fire or fuel leaks.
The FAA was notified of the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
The area where the plane went down:
