Plane down in Fallbrook nature preserve
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
A small plane crashed in the Fallbrook area Tuesday, sparking a small brush fire, but apparently causing only minor injuries to the pilot.
The single-engine Cessna 182 overshot the runway at Fallbrook Airpark during a landing attempt at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, sending the aircraft crashing into an undeveloped area off South Stage Coach Lane, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Aviation Administration.
The accident set some vegetation on fire and forced a closure of a stretch of S. Mission Road, said John Choi, a fire captain with the North County Fire Protection District.
Our crews are on scene of a plane crash in the area of S. Mission Road and Air Park Road in Fallbrook. #MissionIC pic.twitter.com/ZYuuNVacdo— North County Fire Protection District (@NorthCountyFire) September 23, 2025
The 72-year-old pilot was able to exit the aircraft prior to emergency personnel arriving. He suffered minor injuries, but declined medical treatment at the scene, Sheriff’s officials said.
The plane crash resulted in debris being scattered across both the northbound and southbound lanes of S. Mission. County HAZMAT and firefighters remained on scene to ensure the aircraft was safely recovered and loaded onto a tow truck.
The California Highway Patrol managed road closures until the area was deemed safe for reopening.
The cause of the accident was under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate.
Updated 7:20 p.m. Sept. 23, 2025
City News Service contributed to this report.
