I wonder if this was the same plane that got smashed up by another plane that had broken away from its tiedowns during Thursdays storm? If so, 2X the bad luck!


Man sent to hospital for burns from rough, unexpected plane
landing at Wittman Regional Airport
8:02 PM, Aug 7, 2012
Written by
Northwestern Staff

The pilot of a T-51 Mustang plane made a rough landing late Tuesday afternoon in the grass outside of Basler Flight Service at the Wittman Regional Airport, sending one person to the hospital.

The aircraft’s registered owner is listed as John D. Williams, of Geneva, Ohio. Williams is also listed as the manufacturer of the airplane, a two-seat, three-quarters scale replica of the World War II-vintage P-51 Mustang fighter.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's department said Williams was reportedly doing a "shakedown test," which is similar to a test run. Williams had had work done recently on the plane and wanted to make sure the plane was functioning properly before he flew to Ohio, the Sheriff's office said.

Immediately after takeoff, radiator coolant leaked into the pilot compartment and Williams landed the plane immediately. He was then transported to Mercy Medical Center for burn treatment.
The Sheriff's Office department said the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are following up with the crash on Wednesday. Williams is doing fine and his plane is still at Wittman Regional Airport, the Sheriff's department said.