Advertisement

Descending plane makes safe landing in cornfield

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

Colten Jaekel, of Coon Valley, was uninjured when the aircraft he was piloting came down unexpectedly Feb. 29. (Submitted photo)

On Saturday, Feb. 29, at 1:28 p.m., the Grant County Communication Center was notified by the O’Hare Airport in Chicago of a plane crash in a cornfield between Boscobel and Woodman. Sheriff’s deputies and Boscobel police responded and began searching for the downed aircraft. Additional information was provided that the pilot was not injured.

 A dispatcher requested O’Hare to inform the pilot to call 911 on his cell phone, which would provide his location to the sheriff’s office. Once the pilot called 911, his location was known and officers located 22-year-old Colten Jaekel, of Coon Valley, and the aircraft in a cornfield near Sand Hill Road in Marion Township. It was confirmed that Jaekel was not injured.

The pilot reported to the deputies that he began losing RPMs over Fennimore. He said he began descending 500 feet per minute while flying at 4,500 feet. Jaekel attempted to make it to the Boscobel Municipal Airport, but was unsuccessful. He then began searching for a roadway or field to land. He located a picked cornfield, where he landed the aircraft safely. Jaekel stated he broadcasted a “mayday” on an emergency channel, which was received by the O’Hare tower. 

The extent of damage and or engine repair issues is unknown at this time. This matter is under investigation by the FAA, which the Grant County Sheriff’s Office is assisting.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet