Saturday, July 11, 2009
An airplane pilot is dead after a single-engine plane crashed in a bean field near Gould Peterson Memorial Airport in Tarkio, Mo., Friday afternoon.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said an Edge 540 aircraft crashed while performing aerobatic stunts in preparation for the Wing Nuts Flying Air Show, scheduled today at the airport.
The patrol said the 36-year-old pilot, whose name was not released pending family notification, was pronounced dead at the scene.
B.J. Scott, a volunteer for the air show, said the accident occurred at about 2:30 p.m.
"It was a single-engine aircraft with one occupant involved in the accident," he said. "No other aircraft or persons were involved."
The patrol conducted the initial investigation with the assistance of the Atchison County Sheriff's Department. The Federal Aviation Administration will continue to investigate the crash.
Mr. Scott said the air show will continue as planned today, with several hundred aircraft flying in from across the country.
The Gould Peterson Memorial Airport is flying the American flag at half-staff.
Andrew Gaug can be reached
at andrewgaug@npgco.com.
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