Oceanside CA– An acrobatic bi-plane landed short and flipped over, east of runway 24 at Oceanside Airport (OKB) shortly before 11:25 this morning. When Oceanside Police arrived, Officers found the pilot, Lance Murray, and his passenger, Daniel Harabagiu, standing outside the aircraft. Both walked away from the plane crash with minor abrasions. The flight originated at McClellan-Palomar Airport (CRQ)
Murray said essentially he was headed toward the Oceanside Municipal Airport for a landing. The plane lost power and he tried to control the plane the best he could. The plane crashed in a field just north of SR 76 and just east of Foussat Drive. There was no fluid spill, nor was there a fire. No one on the ground was injured.

The aircraft is a Pitts Special S2B, a two seat version of the widely used acrobatic airplane frequently seen at air shows across the country. The Pitts Special has been around since the early 1940’s, designed by Curtis Pitts and now produced in Afton Wyoming.
The NTSB and FAA will be handling the investigation