Small plane crashes at Hayward airport shortly after takeoff; pilot uninjured

Small plane crashes at Hayward airport

HAYWARD, Calif. — Authorities say a pilot walked away unharmed when his small plane crashed and caught fire shortly after takeoff from California’s Hayward Executive Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the pilot, who was believed to be the only person on board, told authorities he was able to get himself out of the plane after it crashed around 12:25 p.m. Wednesday.

Hayward is about 20 miles southeast of San Francisco.