Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 18, 1991 TAG: 9103180300
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Joseph Bledsoe of Roanoke and four other people were aboard the plane when it came to a safe landing shortly after Roanoke firefighters were dispatched to the airport about 7:45 p.m.
"The plane appeared to have flown between two trees," state trooper C.D. Jessee said. "It had notches in both wings."
The impact also broke its windshield, cut a hole in the nose section and tore away a cover around its landing gear.
The landing gear functioned normally on touchdown, airport officials said.
Jessee estimated the damage to the aircraft, a Piper Cherokee Six, at more than $10,000.
City firefighters said tree branches were still clinging to the plane's nose section and right wing when it landed.
"I would have gotten out and kissed the ground if I had been on the plane," Jessee said.
Bledsoe, who lives on Montclair Drive Northwest, told airport officials the incident occurred about three to five miles out as he was flying over Botetourt County. He said a down draft made it difficult to fly.
Winds, which were 13 to 15 knots Sunday afternoon, had died down to less than 10 knots by evening, airport officials said. The airplane was heading toward Runway 24 on a return trip from Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C.
FAA officials were scheduled to be at the airport today to investigate the cause of the accident.
Bledsoe had no comment when contacted at home Sunday night.
by CNB