Pilot lands small plane on Minn. highway, then crashes

Published 11:00 am Friday, January 6, 2012

LAMBERTON, Minn. — The pilot of a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on a Redwood County highway before striking several trees and rolling over.

Sheriff’s officials say the pilot, 63-year-old Gary Debaun of Lakeville, suffered only minor injuries. Authorities say Debaun was piloting a fixed-wing Pitts Special SPS Thursday when he experienced mechanical problems. He landed the plane on Highway 14 in Lamberton Township, lost control, entered a ditch, hit several trees and flipped.

Sheriff’s deputies say the plane was a total loss. Debaun was the only one in the plane. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.