MAY 26, 2015
CASSELTON, N.D. (AP)
A veteran pilot can considered himself lucky, walking away
with only minor injuries after his single engine airplane clipped power lines
and crashed south of the Casselton Airport.
William Dittmer was crop dusting, which requires low level
flying, when the crash occurred.
The plane went down in a muddy field near Casselton.
From the road, it was difficult to see at best.
From the air, it was much better with pieces of the plane
scattered.
Close up shots using a still camera gives you a really good
look at debris hanging from the power line.
The airport manager, and a friend of the pilot, says the
plane was a small piper pawnee and that he believes the man was able to walk
away from the crash and call for help. He adds his friend is a very
experienced pilot.
Bob Miller/Casselton Airport Manager, "He's
ex-military. He flew fighters at the guard in Fargo. He's been spraying for,
I'm guessing, 30 or 30 plus years."
The pilot's name has not been officially released, although people believe it is
William Dittmer.
William Dittmer.
"To my knowledge there's never been anyone to hit those
wires out there like this," Casselton Airport Manager, Robert Miller said.
Miller has been a pilot for more than 50 years.
"But that's not saying that I won't do it
tomorrow," Miller said.
Miller said the pilot of the plane was just as experienced,
a crop duster for several years.
"If your doing it just perfectly your wheels are just
touching the top of the grain so your down there with just a couple of
feet."
Flying just low enough to make sure the chemical doesn't go
where it doesn't belong.
As Miller took us over the crash site revealing the damage
scattered across the field, he recalled having spoken to the pilot, William
Dittmer, earlier.
A man who miraculously walked away from it all.
"I visited with him just a couple of hours ago and he
was all bright and shiny and looking forward to the day," Miller said.
now looking at the day, thankful that he'll have another
chance to fly.
"I feel bad for Bill," Miller said.
The FAA and the Highway Patrol are involved in determining
what exactly caused the crash.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A plane has crashed into a power line near the Casselton Airport.
The crash happened just south of the Casselton Airport,
which is a few miles south of town. The Casselton Fire Chief says a crop duster
plane was involved in the crash.
The Fire Chief said the pilot was able to walk through a
field to the road, where the ambulance picked him up.
One person was taken to the hospital for non-life
threatening injuries.
Valley News Live has a crew on scene and will bring updates
as they become available.
Source: http://www.valleynewslive.com