Teen Pilot Survives Crash Landing of Small Plane

Jordan Stoltzfus was performing a couple takeoffs and landings when he said the engine began having trouble

An 18-year-old pilot in training is counting his blessings after the small plane he was flying crash-landed in a LaGrange County field.

Jordan Stoltzfus walked away uninjured after the two-seater airplane crashed less than a mile from his Shipshewana home. The Westview High School senior says he flew from Goshen Airport to Elkhart, performing a couple takeoffs and landings.

Stoltzfus said he noticed the plane's engine was having trouble when he was flying over his house. He says the engine completely gave out, causing the plane to lose altitude and speed before falling to the ground.

Stoltzfus said he brought the plane down in a field, but it slid into a propane tank and stopped near a house. He said he immediately shut the engine off and exited the plane.

Stoltzfus plans to study aviation at a college this fall.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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