TERRELL, Texas — The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report detailing the emergency landing situation near the Terrell Municipal Airport last month.
On Jan. 29, the Terrell Police Department was dispatched to the 2300 block of Airport Road after a Cessna 172H aircraft was damaged after taking a hard landing.
The single-engine aircraft originally departed the Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY) and landed at the East Texas Regional Airport (GGG) in Longview. The plane then departed en route to Terrell and landed at about 10:30 p.m.
"The pilot attempted to refuel the airplane, but he reported the fuel pumps were out of order. The pilot decided to fly to the Mesquite Metro Airport (HQZ) to refuel the airplane instead," according to the report.
After starting the engine, the pilot noticed the airplane had a “rough idle.” Then, shortly after taking off, he completely lost engine power.
That's when the pilot attempted an emergency landing on Airport Road near a flat field. The plane sustained damage to both wings and the fuselage.
The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries in the landing. They were treated and released.
