Pilot transported to hospital after crash in Weirsdale
Single engine airplane piloted by William J. Near crashes in Weirsdale, Florida at Love Field on Feb. 5, 2025. [Tommy Cuevas/Special to the Ocala Gazette]
A local pilot, William J. Near, was transported to the hospital by Marion County Fire Rescue after crashing at the Love Field, a private grass landing strip, the afternoon of Feb. 5, according to Marion County Sheriff Deputy on scene.
Records on file with the Marion County Property Appraiser’s office indicate Loves Landing HOA owns the grass airstrip.
Near was piloting an RV-7A experimental single-engine aircraft he built in 2007, according to records on file with the Federal Aviation Administration.
According to aviation accident and incident records filed with the National Transportation Safety Board, this is the first aviation accident in the State of Florida for 2025.
Single engine airplane piloted by William J. Near crashes in Weirsdale, Florida at Love Field on Feb. 5, 2025. [Tommy Cuevas/Special to the Ocala Gazette]
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