Talk about a thumpy landing. Tread marks on County Road 33 tell a story. Pilot guided disabled airplane onto the paved road and survived.
Federal inspectors yet to sign off on case
UTICA, Minn. — The pilot who crash-landed his light plane last week managed to line up with a rural road after his engine sputtered and he went by a 73-mph stall. Such is suggested by 100 feet jerky rubber marks on paved County Road 33 south of Utica. It was expected that the National Transportation Safety Board will credit the pilot, Glenn Edward Jackson, age 61, of Byron, with skilled airmanship. The Board’s inspectors, who visited the wreckage, are expected to report their conclusions by mid-August. A non-expert visual inspection suggests that Jackson managed to lower his landing gear before hitting the pavement. His nose gear may have crumbled by the impact, veering the craft 90 degrees into a roadside grassy patch. Although injured, Jackson climbed out. There was no fire. Uncertain is how much fuel was left in the Glasair 1RG’s 62-gallon tank. Jackson was flying out of Rochester, 30 miles away. He was alone.
Earlier: Downed plane near Utica under guard
Glasair 1RG. A tiny sports plane. Known for maneuverability. Popular with weekend fliers. “Fun to fly,” they say.
