Crash still under investigation by FAA
By Terry L. Norton


A Sky Raider Ultra-light, owned and piloted by Leo Rene Croisetiere,
age 49, of Indian Town Road in King George, crashed into a Caroline
County soybean field on Nov. 21, according to a report filed by
investigating Trooper R.A. Gordon. The crash is still under
investigation.

Croisetiere suffered life-threatening injuries.

Life Evac transported the pilot to Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical Center in Richmond, according to State Police Sergeant Kevin
Barrick.

“Witnesses stated that the ultra-light was traveling about 100 to 150
feet above the ground when it went into a slow right turn,” Barrick
said. “The airplane suddenly did a nosedive and crashed into the
field.”

The crash occurred near 1224 Black Marsh Drive in Port Royal in a
soybean.

According to Trooper Gordon’s report, Croisetiere does not have a
license to operate an airplane.
FAA Public Relations Holly Baker said Ultra-lights are not registered
with the FAA and not considered airplanes.

The pilot does not have to be licensed and is not required to file a
flight plan. Air Traffic Control is not involved in the operations of
ultra-lights, because they do not fly high enough to interfere with
regular air traffic.

The FAA is investigating in an effort to determine that the aircraft is
indeed an ultra-light, according to Baker. Ultra-lights can only carry
five gallons of fuel, carry up to a specific weight and travel no more
than 60 mph.

Should the investigators find that modifications to the kit put the
ultra-light into the classification of an airplane, it could result in
legal action against the pilot and owner, Baker said.

Trooper Gordon responded to the crash at 3:39 p.m. and was able to
question Croisetiere at the time. His report states that the pilot did
not know what happened and said that he was on a test flight.

MCV has not released any information on Croisetiere’s condition or
injuries.

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