3 people hospitalized after small plane crash near Baptist East in St. Matthews

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Three people were transported to local hospitals after a small plane crash near Baptist East in St. Matthews on Friday.

St. Matthews Police Chief Barry Wilkerson confirmed to WDRB that a plane had crashed near Breckenridge Lane and Kresge Way sometime after 6 p.m. but before 6:30 p.m., not far from Bowman Field.

A spokesperson for the St. Matthews Fire Department told WDRB's crew at the scene that the plane hit a car. Two people from the plane were taken to UofL Hospital, and one person from the car was taken to Baptist Hospital. Their conditions are unclear at this time.

Darrell Watson, with Louisville Regional Airport Authority, said the Piper PA 28 aircraft was on approach to land on a runway at Bowman Field when it "descended onto Breckenridge Lane and made contact with a motor vehicle on landing."

"The Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Bowman Field, is working with local authorities to support the response of this incident as needed," Watson said.

The plane also took out two utility lines and some traffic lights in the area, and residents are being asked to stay away from the scene.

A source close to the investigation told WDRB there was an instructor pilot and a student passenger on the plane when it experienced an engine issue while flying near the Lewis & Clark Bridge. That's when the pilot took over and attempted to get the plane back to Bowman Field.

The pilot used "extensive training and skills" to navigate the landing, but hit something before making it to the ground, the source said. The student was able to get out of the plane on their own, but the pilot had to be extracted. The pilot suffered a broken femur, but is stable. The source did not know the condition of anyone else involved.