REYNOLDSVILLE, Jefferson County — A plane crash June 5 at the county airport happened when the plane was caught by a gust of wind as it approached the runway, according to a preliminary report.

The report, issued by the National Transportation Safety Board Monday, said the plane was "floating" on its final approach when it was caught in the wind.

The crash left the unidentified pilot seriously injured and the passenger, DanPlaisted of Butler, with minor injuries.

The Piper PA-28-180 plane had a normal landing until it was lifted 20 feet in the air, nosed over and hit the runway at the Du Bois-Jefferson County Airport, according to a witness cited in the report. Winds were at 3 miles per hour about 20 minutes before the 4:15 p.m. crash.

After the crash, the plane caught fire and was seriously damaged. The pilot was flown to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh. Plaisted, owner of D.P. Plaisted & Associates on Main Street inButler, was treated at the scene.

Bill Rose, the president of the Condor Aero Club in Zelienople, said Monday the pilot was still in the hospital Friday, but he was out of bed and eating solid food.

"He's improving rapidly," said Rose, who declined to identify the pilot.

The club owns seven planes registered with the FAA, including the one that crashed. Rose said the plane has been taken by the FAA to a lab for inspection.

An Federal Aviation Administration inspector found no mechanical defects with the plane, according to the report.

Rose said he expects to replace the plane, which was insured.