US News

CRASH-LANDING PILOT ON L.I.

A lucky pilot walked away unhurt after he ditched his sputtering single-engine plane upside down in a field.

Manuel Martinez-Pons, 64, who declined medical attention at the scene, realized his Cessna was in trouble soon after takeoff from Spadaro Airport in East Moriches, Suffolk County cops said.

With no choice, Martinez-Pons, of Belle Harbor, Queens, went down in a field near Sunrise Highway.

“He’s very fortunate there were no injuries,” said Officer Kathleen Ryan. “It’s certainly a nice Christmas gift that he was able to walk away.”