Pilot, passenger hospitalized following Thursday plane crash
By Nick Sabo
June 28, 2012
474
The pilot and passenger of a private plane that went down near Baltic Thursday, June 28 are hospitalized from injuries suffered in the crash.
Floyd S. Pierson, 60, and Charles W. Stevens, 51, were transported from the crash site to Akron General Hospital where they are listed in serious condition.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. when Pierson apparently made an emergency landing on a hillside at the end of Township Road 174.
The plane is a 1957 Piper PA 23 and is registered with an Akron flight club, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.
The crash was reported by Joe Miller, whose farm lies on the other side of Township Road 174 from where the crash occurred. Miller was raking hay when he observed the plane flying low over his field.
At first I thought they were going to put down here, Miller said. I thought, please God no, cant you see those fuel tanks, cant you see the buildings?
Miller stopped his tractor as the plane went out of sight and asked his sons, who were nearby, if they heard a crash. Miller said he almost didnt want to go up there fearing the passengers might be dead.
Pierson had exited the plane and was talking when Miller reached the crash scene. Stevens was still inside the plane and was also conscious, Miller said. Miller said Stevens was almost frantic, and worried that the plane might catch on fire.
He (Stevens) had some pretty serious injuries and I didnt want to move him, Miller said. I just cant believe it wasnt on fire, with all the fuel coming out. It really confirmed my faith that miracles do happen.
Miller said he sat and prayed with the two men until help arrived. Pierson told Miller they were traveling from Akron to Charleston, W.Va., and had just fueled up.
A Township Road 174 man who asked not to be identified said the engines on the plane sounded like they were stalling prior to the crash.
The Holmes County Sheriffs office is investigating the crash.
