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Utah Forced Landing Caught on Video

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A birthday flight over rural Utah experienced a loss of power, likely due to suspected carburetor ice.
  • The pilot performed an emergency landing in a snowy field to avoid obstacles like power lines and traffic.
  • The plane crash-landed, somersaulting upside down after its nosewheel snapped off, causing serious damage to the aircraft.
  • Miraculously, all four occupants, including an infant, escaped the crash with only minor injuries.
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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.

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.

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