A scenic birthday flight over rural Utah went sour after suspected carburetor ice caused a loss of power. Pilot Lynn Goodsell offered to bring Kayla Fielding, her husband Jonathan and infant son for a ride in his 1960 Cessna 175B to help celebrate her birthday.
Jonathan Fielding switched on his telephone video camera after Goodsell advised his passengers he was going to perform an emergency landing due to the power loss. He chose to land in a field rather than a highway for fear of power lines and traffic. Fielding recorded the progress of the emergency, commenting on his confidence and his fear.
The Cessna dug into the calf-deep snow, snapping off its nosewheel and somersaulting upside down. The camera wound up on the airplane’s roof, facing up as the passengers got out. All on board escaped with minor injuries, including the seven-month-old, though Goodsell’s Cessna was seriously damaged. You can watch the video here:
