Airplane crashes in field near Salem

SALEM ? An airplane, reportedly experiencing engine problems, crash landed in a cornfield near Salem Friday morning.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, law enforcement received a call from a witness who saw a plane crash into the field on Agency Road, one-half mile west of Salem, at 10 a.m.

State troopers, upon arrival, found that a small, singe-engine plane had crash landed. The pilot, Gary Kirby from McKinney, Texas, was removed from the wreckage and transported to the Henry County Health Center for treatment. He was later taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with non-life threatening injuries (reportedly severe back injuries).

Kirby, according to the police report, was traveling from Oshkosh, Wisc. About 15 miles outside of Mt. Pleasant, the plane began experiencing engine problems. Kirby was attempting to reach the Mt. Pleasant Airport, but could not make his destination as the plane continued to experience problems.

There were no other passengers in the plane and no pedestrians or motorists were hurt.

Agencies, in addition to the Iowa State Patrol, assisting at the scene were the Henry County Sheriff?s Office, Salem Fire Department and Henry County Ambulance. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration investigated the accident on Friday afternoon. The plane was removed from the field late Friday afternoon by a crane.

Alan Miller of Salem farms the 85-acre field.