STOCKBRIDGE–A small plane that took off from Appleton International Airport makes an emergency landing in a Calumet County field. The pilot initially radioed into air traffic control at Austin Straubel Airport in Green Bay that he had lost engine power in his Beechcraft Bonanza and would need to land around 12:10 this (Monday) afternoon.
The aircraft came down in a plowed field along Hill Road in Stockbridge about five minutes later. The 63-year old man from Downers Grove, Illinois was reportedly able to walk away and talk with first responders.
The cause of his engine problems is not known.
Here is a statement from the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office:
Media Release
February 6, 2023
Plane Crash
On Monday, February 6, 2023, at approximately 12:10 PM, the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a call from Austin Straubel air traffic control reporting a plane’s engine had stopped working after departing from Appleton. The air traffic control lost contact with the pilot, who was the lone occupant, and the plane’s last known whereabouts were south of High Cliff in the Town of Stockbridge.
Sheriff’s Office deputies along with the Stockbridge Fire Department, Stockbridge First Responders, and Gold Cross Ambulance were dispatched and began searching for the plane. At approximately 12:16 PM, the Sheriff’s Office received updated notification that the plane had landed on private property in the Town of Stockbridge and the pilot was not injured.
The pilot was identified as a 63 year old male from Downers Grove, Illinois. He was operating a single engine Beechcraft Bonanza airplane and was traveling back to Lewis Airport in Illiniois. He indicated the plane’s engine quit working approximately 10 minutes after taking off from Austin Straubel. The pilot was then able to land the plane on a snow covered plowed field.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
Lt. Eric Voland
Calumet County Sheriff’s Office
