Pilot Killed in Ultralight Aircraft Crash

The ultralight crashed through a carport before striking multiple vehicles.

The pilot of an ultralight motorized hang glider died in a Tuesday morning crash soon after taking off from the Santa Barbara Airport. The pilot has been identified as a 45-year-old male but his name has not been released.

According to County Fire spokesperson Capt. Dave Zaniboni, the glider went down in the parking lot of the Willow Springs apartment complex in Goleta, crashing through the roof of a carport and striking two vehicles. No one on the ground was hurt. The glider took off at 10:04 a.m. and the crash was reported at 10:09 a.m.

Zaniboni said emergency crews remain on the scene as the FAA conducts an investigation.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates as they become available.

[UPDATE] The pilot has been identified as Matthew Erwin Wilson of Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office is investigating the cause and manner of his death.