BELFAST (May 30): The 65-year-old man who fell 40 feet from a tree Tuesday, May 22, after his ultralight crashed into it at the Belfast Airport, died Tuesday, May 29, from his injuries, according to Belfast Police Chief Jeff Trafton.

Belfast Patrolman Bryan Cunningham said the accident was reported at 7:54 a.m. May 22. According to Cunningham, Higgins, who had had flown the aircraft on at least two other occasions, apparently lost control of the ultralight — is a lightweight, slow-flying aircraft subject to minimum aviation regulations.

“He was taking off, and for whatever reason he either lost control, or couldn’t regain control of it,” said Cunningham. “He wasn’t able to pull away from the trees, and he hit the highest tree out there.”

Higgins and his craft landed in branches of the tree, said Cunningham. When Higgins unbuckled himself from the ultralight seat, he reportedly stood on a branch that snapped. Higgins plummeted about 40 feet.

Belfast Patrolman Eric Kelley and Sgt. John Gibbs also responded to the scene.

When ambulance crews reached Higgins, he became combative, indicating a possible head injury, Cunningham said. Emergency personnel immobilized Higgins prior to LifeFlight's arrival.

The accident was reported to the Federal Aviation Administration. The day of the accident, Cunningham said a license is not required to operate a single-seated ultralight, but the FAA may investigate because the incident occurred at an airport and involved a motorized aircraft in flight.

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