The 79-year-old pilot and a 46-year-old passenger had just taken off from the Capitol Drive Airport in Brookfield when the Cessna 172 single-engine plane experienced engine failure, Lannon Police Chief Mark Flessert said.
The pilot tried to make an emergency landing shortly after 11 a.m. but struck trees, shearing off the tail section along the heavily used recreational trail in the Waukesha County Parks system that runs through Lannon, Sussex and other communities.
Authorities were notified by a passersby.
The pilot suffered head trauma and facial injuries. The passenger was also injured, though Flessert didn't know the extent of his wounds. He said both men's injuries were non-life threatening. They were taken to Froedtert Hospital.
"The occupants were fairly lucky because the crash was cushioned by the trees. Instead of coming in nose down, the wings were lodged in the trees," Flessert said. "The cockpit portion was at ground level but the trees absorbed most of the hit. They were able to crawl out of the plane."
Some fuel leaked at the scene from the plane, which was carrying a full fuel tank, though the aircraft didn't ignite. No one was using the trail at the time of the crash.
Flessert did not know the men's destination. FAA officials were called to the scene to investigate the crash.
The wreckage was cleared away shortly after 3 p.m.
http://www.jsonline.com
WAUKESHA COUNTY - A pilot and his passenger had some tense moments in Lannon on Monday. Their small plane made an emergency landing on the Bugline Recreational Trail.
Authorities are still trying to figure out what happened.
“It was very scary,” notes Vickie Lemke of Lemke Stone. “If they would’ve been a couple of feet different, they could’ve gone into the quarry, and maybe hit a stonewall and not survive. By the grace of God, they’re here. We’re very thankful for that.”
Dan Yendrzeski lives about a quarter mile away from the scene.
“I could still hear the plane because he was so low, and all of a sudden, nothing,” recalls Yendrzeski. “I didn’t actually hear it crash. I just heard it stop running.”
Authorities say the pilot was a 79-year-old man from Pewaukee. His passenger is a 46 year old man from India. Vickie Lemke says the plane nearly landed in a quarry. One of her foreman heard it go down. The men will survive. They were taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
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