SEATTLE — Richard Bach, the author of the 1970s best-selling novella “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” among other spiritually oriented writings, was in serious condition Saturday after his small plane crashed in Washington state.

His son, James Bach, told The Associated Press his father was on his way to visit a friend on San Juan Island on Friday when his amphibian plane clipped a power line during landing, and crashed.

James Bach says his father, who was flying alone, suffered a head injury and broken shoulder. He is listed in serious condition.

Bach is an avid aviator who touched on themes of flight and enlightenment in his writings. He also authored “Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah” among other books.