TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Small plane crashes in SE Highlands

Pilot has minor injuries; passenger OK

Contributed photo

A single-engine airplane went down Tuesday afternoon at Slough Ditch, between County Road 621 and State Road 70 in the southern part of Highlands County.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: November 3, 2009

Updated: 11/03/2009 06:15 pm

LAKE PLACID - A single-engine airplane went down Tuesday afternoon at Slough Ditch, between County Road 621 and State Road 70 in the southern part of Highlands County, according to the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.

"The call came in at 1:36 p.m.," said Sheriff's Capt. Paul Blackman, on Tuesday.

The pilot sustained minor injuries, which may require stitches, said Blackman, who said Sgt. Barry Jones was in a remote part of the county with poor reception.

"I was getting about every third word," he said. "They're pretty fortunate, I imagine."

A Highlands County Emergency Medical Services crew arrived at the scene. It is not known if the pilot or passenger were transported from the scene by ambulance.

Blackman said he did not know their names and even if he did, he did not know if the family had been notified.

The yellow airplane reportedly struck and damaged a power line which hung about 35 feet from the ground, Blackman confirmed.

The airplane landed belly and nose down in a grassy area next to the canal. There appeared to be damage to the tail of the airplane.

As is standard procedure in the case of plane crashes, the FAA has been called in to investigate.

The plane reportedly took off from Lake Wales and the two were sightseeing, Blackman confirmed.

Highlands Today reporter Joe Seelig can be reached at 863-386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT