Small plane crashes at Chandler Airport

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A pilot is recovering after crashing his experimental plane at Chandler Airport in southwest Fresno.

The crash happened just before noon Sunday.

Witnesses told police the man was taking off and only made it into the air for a short time before slamming into the runway.

First-responders had to remove the pilot from the cockpit before he was taken to the hospital. Police say the man in his 70's lives in the Tollhouse area, but his name has not been released.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the cause.