[Fair use for education and research purpose only]

Saturday, March 25, 2000

Title: Pilot trapped, rescued after plane crashes

Craft headed back to airport after power problems, report says By Elyse Hayes

Deseret News staff writer

WEST JORDAN  A plane carrying only its pilot crashed into a pipe yard Friday during an approach into Municipal Airport No. 2 in West Jordan.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board look over the wreckage of a Zodiac plane that crashed at W.R. White Pipe yard near Airport No. 2 in West Jordan. The pilot experienced power problems just after takeoff and was trying to return to the airport when the crash occurred, an FAA report says. The pilot is in stable condition.

Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News

The plane's pilot, Rex Johnson of Cottonwood Heights, was transported to Jordan Valley Hospital where he was listed in stable condition Friday afternoon.

Chief Brad Wardle of West Jordan Fire Department said Johnson was trapped in the plane for 25-30 minutes before crews were able to get him out.

Johnson suffered lacerations to his hands but was calm and alert, Wardle said.

"He's lucky to be alive, obviously."

The crash occurred just after 11 a.m. at the W.R. White Pipe yard near 7800 South and Airport Road (4750 West) as Johnson was flying north toward the runway.

An initial FAA report states Johnson experienced power problems just after takeoff. He then crashed while attempting to return to the airport approximately one-half mile southwest of the main runway, causing substantial damage to the aircraft.

When emergency crews arrived they found the homemade, experimental aircraft upside down and leaking fuel.

Landings.com lists Johnson as the owner and manufacturer of the plane, a 1999 Zodiac CH 601 HDS. This Zodiac model is a single-engine, two-seat, fixed-wing aircraft.

The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,155012750,00.html?

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), March 25, 2000