Beech A23A Musketeer II, N5788V: Accident occurred May 17, 2017 at Vinton County Airport (22I), McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office: CVG

http://registry.faa.gov/N5788V

Aircraft landed on Runway 9 and struck trees off runway.  

Date: 17-MAY-17
Time: 20:00:00Z
Regis#: N5788V
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Aircraft Model: A35
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: SUBSTANTIAL
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: MCARTHUR
State: OHIO 

Aviation officials are investigating a forced landing at the Vinton County Airport which saw a plane skid into some trees, though no injuries were reported.

The plane was piloted by Nick Rupert, 67, who was joined by three other passengers. Rupert is president of the Vinton County Pilots and Boosters Club.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Rupert "attempted to land after an equipment malfunction."

"The plane attempted to land and traveled off the right side of the runway and struck some trees," the report states.

In an interview with The Courier, Rupert said he was flying the passengers above McArthur around 4:15 p.m. when he noticed engine failure. He said he guided the plane back to the airport, which is around 7 miles north of town.

Rupert takes issue with the Patrol characterizing the incident as a "plane crash." He said the landing was done safely and the plane "skidded into some trees" as a preventative measure. All were OK afterwards, he noted, other than the plane being "banged up."

The other occupants were Cory Markin, 24, and Courtney Stamm, 27, both of Logan, as well as James Thompson, 65, of McArthur.

Rupert is a longtime pilot at the airport who regularly offers sky tours of Vinton County.

The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an independent investigation, according to the Patrol. Rupert said FAA officials were at the airport early Thursday and would be reporting to the National Transportation Safety Board, as is standard protocol.

Original article can be found here: http://www.vintoncourier.com