Advertisement

Engine power loss led to emergency landing in Vernon field

VERNON – It was a situation that some observers believe could have been a lot worse.

A small private plane was forced to make an emergency landing in a field Wednesday shortly after it took off from the Vernon Regional Airport.

According to the city, the plane was around 300 feet in the air when the problem started. The Transportation Safety Board says the plane’s only engine lost power and then stopped.

The two people on board, a professional pilot and his son, escaped without any serious injuries. They had recently purchased the plane, which Transport Canada records show was over twenty years old.

“He tried to land on the road beside the airport but there was too much traffic so he put it in the field across [the road],” says Chris Robinson with Vernon Fire-Rescue Services.
Story continues below advertisement
Vernon Flying Club member Ginter Scholz says in 45 years of flying he has never had an engine fail on him – but if one did “the first thing you do is look for a place to land [that is] level [and] flat.”

“The plan can get all banged up but you are fine,” says Scholz.

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Some believe the pilot’s skill played a big role in the positive outcome.

“I’d say the pilot was pretty good at flying his plane to put it down in the field there,” says Robinson.

Thursday morning the plane was still in the field where it landed across the street from the airport. The Transportation Safety Board is gathering information on the incident for its records.

Megan Turcato / Global News

Sponsored content

AdChoices