Small Plane Makes Emergency Landing Near Concord's Buchanan Field Airport

CONCORD (CBS SF) -- A small plane made an emergency landing near Buchanan Field in Concord Friday afternoon, after the pilot said he was experiencing engine trouble.

The plane landed on its wheels just south of Highway 4 along Willow Pass Road.

The pilot, 64-year-old Felix Boston, said he was flying about 2,700 feet above Contra Costa County when the engine of his plane suddenly quit. He tried to make it to Buchanan Field, but it was too far.

Boston said he decided to land on a grassy area on the former Concord Naval Weapons Station, just 100 feet from Willow Pass Road. He walked away from the plane uninjured.

The pilot hugged Contra Costa County firefighter and said, "This is the buddy that saved my life, I'll tell you. If it hadn't have been for him, I'd have been toast."

Boston believes a problem with the fuel pump may have stalled the engine.