Small plane crashes near Las Cruces airport, but no injuries reported

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A small plane crashed Friday afternoon near the Las Cruces International Airport, but authorities said no one was injured.

The crash happened about 2:15 p.m. just east of the airport.

Airport staff told ABC-7 that the pilot radioed to the control tower to report he was "okay" after his plane went down just outside the airport grounds.

An airport manager said the pilot was flying a small custom-built airplane that was based out of the Las Cruces airport; he added the pilot was a member of an experimental aircraft club.

New Mexico State Police indicated the pilot was the only person aboard the two-seater aircraft; officers said he was able to walk away from the crash and did not require any medical treatment.

There was only minor damage to the plane, NMSP said, and the Federal Aviation Administration was notified about the crash.