A pilot flying to Selma was injured but is in recovery after his plane crashed on Saturday night.
The aircraft was a private airplane that crashed behind Craig Motel and first responders were called at around 9:04 p.m.
Craig Field officials told the Black Belt News Network that an emergency was declared Saturday evening by the FAA around 9:04 p.m.
“The pilot of a single-engine Cessna 177 reported engine issues and landed in a field near Craig Field Airport in Selmaaround 9 p.m. on May 18,” according to an FAA statement.
The plane was experiencing engine issues that developed into an engine failure, officials reported. Craig Airport and fire department personnel responded to the airport in anticipation, but the plane made a crash landing approximately two miles short of the runway on private land before reaching the airport.
The pilot and sole occupant of the plane was evacuated by firefighters due to difficult terrain and was transported to Baptist South in Montgomery for minor injuries.
The pilot was identified by WAKA as Ali Kawsarla. After undergoing surgery for injuries to his lower extremities, Kawsarla was recovering.
The FAA arrived at the crash scene Monday, May 20. The National Transportation Safety Board is also expected to investigate.
Craig and Sardis VFD as well as Selma Fire responded to the crash.
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