Surprise landing: A plane ended up in a Stark County field & investigators just found out
BETHLEHEM TWP. - A 75-year-old pilot unexpectedly landed his small plane in a township field on Thursday although investigators didn't learn of the crash until Friday.
Authorities, including the Federal Aviation Administration, are now looking into what happened.
The pilot, who lives in Gnadenhutten, sustained minor injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
While the crash occurred Thursday, emergency personnel were notified around 9:30 a.m. Friday. The Cleveland FAA contacted Stark County Sheriff’s Office, which then notified the patrol, officials said.
According to the patrol, the plane — a 1946 Stinson model 108 — likely suffered an equipment malfunction and the pilot began to land in a field near Sherman Church Avenue SW and Riverdale Street SW. The pilot landed without incident but then struck a culvert.
The FAA was responding to the scene. The Stark County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team assisted to capture aerial footage. The Erie Valley Fire Department also responded to the scene.
The emergency landing remains under investigation.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Pilot makes emergency landing in Bethlehem Twp. field; hits culvert
