Photo: Courtesy West Plains Daily Quill
A 78-year-old Gainesville man suffered minor injuries in an airplane crash Sunday afternoon in Willow Springs, according to Public Information Officer Sgt. Jeff Kinder with Troop G of the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Willow Springs.
The West Plains Daily Quill reports the pilot, whose name was withheld by the patrol, was flying a single-engine experimental kit airplane and reportedly lost power shortly after takeoff. The plane crashed into a house 700 feet from Willow Springs Memorial Airport at 3:15. While the pilot’s name was not released, Springfield television stations KYTV/KSPR report a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records search shows the plane is owned by Ronald Hook from Gainesville.
Kinder reports the occupants of the house were away at the time of the crash, and there was little to no damage to the residence.
The plane did turn around and tried to land back at the airport and ended up having to make an emergency landing in this yard.
Troopers say debris from the plane was found near the road, just about 50 yards or so west of the home.
It appears the plane miraculously missed some power lines, hit the ground, traveled through a creek bed and skidded to its resting point against the home.
The pilot was still buckled in when crews arrived. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance and released.
Kinder says the plane will remain where it crashed until investigators with the FAA arrive from St. Louis this week to make their report.
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