A plane crash in Soldonta has left an Anchorage pilot injured. On Monday afternoon John Hanson sustained injuries to his head and foot when the plane went down shortly after takeoff.

The plane departed from a private airstrip near the Soldonta Municipal Airport.

It appeared that 73-year-old Hanson was flying close to the ground when his plane struck some trees before crashing, said Alaska State Trooper Kyle Carson. Carson didn't state why Hanson was flying so low.

Just after 4 p.m. Hanson's Champion 7ECA went down. Hanson was pulled from the wreckage by friends and family. Paramedics arrived soon after, and treated him on the scene.

The plane appears to be completely destroyed.