The crash of a small airplne near Chanute leaves two people injured.
The accident that injured the pilot and a passenger in a fixed wing single engine aircraft occurred just before 3pm on Thursday. The pilot – identified as 43-year-old John Von Fange of South Carolina – lost engine function while in the air just southwest of Chanute and attempted an emergency landing at the Chanute Airport. Due to cloud cover, Von Fange missed his approach and opted to land in a nearby field instead. The aircraft went into a nose dive as it crossed US-169 north of the City and flipped, landing on its top. The plane slid as it hit the ground, causing the plane to flip again into an upright position.
A passing motorist witnessed the crash and drove through a fence, into the field, using his vehicle to stop the plane. The aircraft then flipped a third time before coming to rest in a line of trees near the intersection of US-169 and 240th Road.
Von Fange and his passenger were both treated for minor injuries at Neosho Memorial Hospital. The driver of the car was uninjured.
