As news of actor Harrison Ford's plane crash spread Thursday, one local man watched the reports with great interest.
Air and Space Museum President Jim Kidrick watched the news reports of this crash landing. He's not only a pilot but close friends with Harrison Ford.
Ford has even been inducted into San Diego's Air and Space Museum Hall of Fame.
Sources close to the incident tell NBC7 Ford suffered a nasty gash to the head as well as possible broken bones. The actor and pilot slammed his head into the plane's console during impact.
This is Ford's third crash landing since 1999. He is an experienced pilot , and was even inducted into San Diego's Air and Space Museum Hall of Fame.
“He was out flying I would assume, as we all do, just to go flying and stay proficient,” Kidrick said.
Harrison crashed in his P22 Recruit .The vintage prop plane is one of a little over a thousand made to train air corps aviators in in 1941 and 42.
It's a plane built right here in San Diego by Ryan Aeronautical. There is another one on exhibit at the Museum.
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“There is a lot of DNA in the airplane he was flying today and the one you see in the camera,” Kidrick said.
LA Fire Captain Patrick Butler , said after stabilizing his spine and administering first aid the pilot was taken to UCLA Medical Center.
Ford's son Ben posted this tweet, " At the hospital. Dad is ok. Battered but ok! He is every bit the man you would think he is. He is a very strong man.
“I will not answer any questions that have to do with causation at this point,” NTSB Investigator Patrick Jones said.
The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating. The short radio transmission between Ford and the tower just after takeoff was recorded. The pilot said he was having engine trouble and was directed to return to the airport.
Ford did not make it back. Instead he had to steer away from the airport.
“It appears that he clipped a top of a tree and came to rest on the golf course,” Jones said
Witnesses reportedly rushed to help.
Federal investigators say the plane won't be moved till morning while they continue to document the scene.
They are looking for a cause, considering the weather, man and machine.
“Harrison is a very good aviator . My belief is this was certainly not pilot error at all,” Kidrick said.
The Museum president said Ford owns that plane and five others and at least one helicopter. All of which he flies regularly.
