Engine trouble was to blame for a Fallbrook-area crash that left the pilot of a light airplane with minor injuries on Tuesday afternoon, according to a preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The single-engine Cessna 182N went down into an open area just east of Fallbrook Airpark shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday as the 72-year-old man behind the controls was trying to land at the airstrip off S. Mission Road, officials said.

The crash resulted in debris being scattered across both the northbound and southbound lanes of S. Mission. County HAZMAT and firefighters remained on scene to ensure the aircraft was safely recovered and loaded onto a tow truck.

The California Highway Patrol managed road closures until the area was deemed safe for reopening.

The aircraft crashed

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