Purdue student and flight instructor safely land in field after engine failure

FRANKFORT, Ind.— A Purdue University aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing Wednesday morning after experiencing engine failure.

Around 8:30 a.m., Clinton County Central Dispatch received a report of a plane landing in a field just north of the Frankfort Airport, according to a news release. 

A Purdue flight student and instructor took off from the Purdue Airport heading toward Marion when they started to experience engine trouble, the release said. They decided to turn around and head back to Purdue when the engine failed completely.

The student and instructor attempted to make it to the Frankfort Airport, but it was decided they would not be able to make it that far, ultimately landing in the field just north of the airport.

Both pilots were uninjured and walked away from the aircraft, the release said. The FAA was notified and will be conducting an investigation.

Units from Frankfort Police, Frankfort Fire and EMS also assisted, the release said.

Contact reporter Jillian Ellison at 765-420-5228 or at jeellison@gannett.com.

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