Two people escaped injury Saturday night after a small, single-engine airplane experienced engine failure and struck a concrete pole during an emergency landing at a Perry Township industrial facility.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 8:38 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Metallus plant, located at 4748 Navarre Road SW in Stark County.
Investigators identified the aircraft as a Zenith CH650B, a fixed-wing, single-engine airplane.
The aircraft experienced engine failure while in flight, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in the lower parking lot of the Metallus facility. During the landing, the airplane struck a concrete pole.
The pilot, Nathaniel Overly, of East Sparta, and passenger, Jason Overly, also of East Sparta, were not injured, according to the Highway Patrol.
Perry Township police initially reported that the aircraft had experienced engine trouble while approaching Akron-Canton Airport. The plane had been cleared for final approach and granted priority to land before making the emergency landing at Metallus.
Police said the aircraft sustained damage during the landing, including damage to its landing gear.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canton Post is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Perry Township Police Department and security personnel from Metallus.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified of the crash and will conduct a separate investigation.
Authorities have not released additional details about what caused the engine failure.
The crash remains under investigation.
