Pilot rescued after World War II-era plane crashes at Pennsylvania airport

A World War II-era plane crashed while attempting to land at a Pennsylvania airport Wednesday evening, trapping the pilot inside the overturned aircraft before police and an airport employee freed him, authorities said.

Limerick Township police responded to Heritage Field Airport around 7:17 p.m. and found the small aircraft upside down on the runway with the pilot, its only occupant, trapped inside.

An airport employee and officers freed the pilot from his parachute and pulled him from the plane, police said.

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Police and an airport employee pulled a trapped pilot to safety following the crash of a WWII-era aircraft on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (FOX29 Philadelphia WTXF)

"We got reports the pilot was trapped in the plane. On our arrival, they were pulling him out. So there was no extrication needed by the fire department," Limerick Township Fire Chief Ken Shuler told FOX29 Philadelphia.

The pilot was conscious and able to stand but had visible cuts, police said. He was treated at the scene by Freedom Valley Medical Rescue and taken to a hospital.

The pilot was transported to Reading Trauma Center and was alert and talking after the crash, according to FOX29. No further update on his condition was available.

The pilot was the only occupant aboard the WWII-era plane when it crashed at Heritage Field Airport on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (FOX29 Philadelphia WTXF)

The single-engine plane had taken off from Pottstown and was headed to Quakertown, the station reported, citing Limerick Township officials. It had been in the air for about nine minutes.

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The crash caused a fuel leak, according to the outlet, and firefighters remained at the airport to address the spill and watch for a possible fire.

Heritage Field Airport, formerly Pottstown Municipal Airport, serves private and recreational aircraft. The airport remained closed Wednesday night while crews handled the fuel leak and removed the plane.

It was unclear what caused the crash at Heritage Field Airport on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. (FOX29 Philadelphia WTXF)

Police said they notified the Federal Aviation Administration's Eastern Region Operations Center after the crash.

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The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and police said aviation authorities are investigating.