A 37-year-old Albert Lea man escaped injury after the home-built plane he was flying crashed near the Boulder Municipal Airport.

Authorities said the pilot, Jason Patton, was able to get away from the wreckage unharmed before it was engulfed in flames.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said engine failure appears to have caused the single-engine plane to go down in a field shortly after taking off at about 1 p.m. Monday.

The left wing of the Kitfox Classic 4 experimental plane then hit a post, causing the aircraft to spin around before coming to stop within yards of homes. The crash sparked a small grass fire that was put out by firefighters.

The FAA is investigating the crash.

Patton and wife, Tressa, are Christian missionaries to Guatemala. They have three children.

Tressa and the children were at home in Guatemala City at the time. Their missionary work is supported by several Albert Lea churches.

Tressa’s mother, Marly Evenson, said this morning the family was relieved to hear Jason escaped unharmed. She said he returns today to Albert Lea on a bus. She said he was in Boulder to pick up the plane. It was brand new, she said.

They also have done missionary work in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Jason has earned certificates in aviation from local instructors. He also has a degree in aviation maintenance.