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A man who was driving past the airport at Gillespie Field near San Diego, Wednesday, apparently fell unconscious and rode as passenger as his pickup truck (and his dog) went through a fence and plowed into a row of parked aircraft near the local flying club. The 57-year-old driver awoke safely under the wing of a small plane. He and his chocolate Labrador appeared unharmed and there were no other injuries or fire, but two Cessna 152s were destroyed and a third aircraft was damaged. The damage — including aircraft and the airport fence — was estimated by an employee of Golden State Flying club at about $200,000, according to East County Magazine. The driver was checked by paramedics and police, who arrived quickly on the scene. There are no indications that drugs or alcohol were involved.
The accident is currently under investigation. Gillespie Field is approximately ten miles northeast of San Diego and does not offer any airline service. It is protected by a wrought-iron fence where the truck made its unwelcome entrance at approximately 4:20 p.m.
