Two men were injured Wednesday afternoon when a light sport aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Jack Edwards National Airport in Gulf Shores, according to airport officials.
The single-engine trike aircraft experienced a hard landing around noon that caused substantial damage to the plane’s left wing, said a spokesperson for the airport. Both men aboard suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
One of the men was flown by medical helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for treatment, while the other was taken by ambulance to South Baldwin Regional Medical Center in Foley.
The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the crash immediately following the incident. The accident scene was cleared shortly afterward, and Jack Edwards National Airport resumed normal flight operations the same day.
Light sport aircraft, including trike-style planes that pair a hang-glider-like wing with a powered undercarriage, are popular among recreational pilots along the Gulf Coast, where clear weather and coastal scenery draw significant small-aircraft traffic throughout the year.
Airport officials have not released additional details about what led to the hard landing. No further information on the extent of the men’s injuries or their conditions was immediately available.