Watch the terrifying moment a plane crash-lands on a golf course

A light aircraft crash-landed on a golf course in California on Sunday, narrowly missing a person working on their game. 

Security camera footage shows a Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III hitting the practice putting green at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in Sacramento around 1.15pm local time.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot was the only person onboard the plane when it crashed just south of McClellan airfield.

It has been reported that the aircraft suffered engine failure shortly after take-off and was forced to make an emergency landing at the golf course.

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Incredibly, the pilot was able to walk away from the scene most unscathed. They were later treated at hospital for minor injuries and shock.

A golfer practising their chipping to the side of the green when the plane came down also escaped without injury.

The plane missed the individual by a matter of metres, with a piece of debris thrown from the aircraft flying past them.

Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene with fire captain Justin Sylvia praising the pilot of the plane for avoiding populated places.

“He had to crash land it right on the golf course,” said Sylvia.

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“This is something we don’t see very often. The remarkable thing about this situation is no one was injured.”

“There’s tons of people playing golf, there’s people in the pro shop. The fact that he was able to navigate the plane to a safe landing is something we don’t typically see.

“He laid it down on part of a fairway, it skipped across the putting green and made very minor contact with the building.

“There were some paint marks on the building and the pilot only had a scratch to his hand.”

Watch the footage here:

Security video shows the moment a Piper PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III crashes at a Golf complex in Sacramento, narrowly missing a golfer on the practice green. pic.twitter.com/vYCHD5ubeN

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 5, 2024

A post shared on the Haggins Oaks Golf Complex Facebook page later on Sunday said: “Earlier today, there was an unexpected plane crash on our golf course. Thankfully, no one was harmed, and the damage to the facility is minor.

“We are incredibly grateful to the first responders from the fire department and law enforcement for their swift and professional reaction.”