2013 Trussville plane crash

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The 2013 Trussville plane crash (Flight N5655D) was a non-fatal aviation accident that occurred in an open field between Thompson Lane and the Cahaba Cove subdivision in Trussville on the morning of November 28, 2013.

The single engine Beechcraft V35 Bonanza aircraft, piloted by retired Navy flyer Kent Ewing, was en route from Norfolk, Virginia to Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) for Thanksgiving at his daughter's house. Ewing's son, Taylor, also a trained pilot, and his girlfriend were passengers on the flight.

A failure of the plane's single engine was reported by Ewing in a 9:46 AM distress call to the BHM tower. Unable to reach the airport, Ewing's son located a long, open field in Trussville to attempt an emergency landing, but Ewing was unable to touch down early enough to avoid skidding into trees beyond the far edge of the field. The craft was clipped by a utility pole and spun by a tree before coming to rest against a larger tree.

Ewing suffered cracked ribs while his passengers had only minor injuries. The pumpkin pie they brought for Thanksgiving also survived the crash.

References

  • Oliver, Mike (November 28, 2013) "Plane crash lands in Trussville; Three minor injuries." The Birmingham News
  • Oliver, Mike (January 3, 2014) "How to survive a small plane crash. Pilot in Trussville mishap gives account and 3 tips." The Birmingham News

External links