Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 20, 1995 TAG: 9502200077
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: ATKINS LENGTH: Short
The pilot landed a 1961 Cessna shortly after 9 a.m. Saturday on a farm in northern Smyth County, about eight miles north of Atkins. No one was injured.
Jerome P. LaForest, 43, of Highland, Mich., was flying a friend's airplane from Pontiac, Mich., to Mountain Empire Airport in Marion to pick up a relative. He told Trooper Michael Spangler and the Federal Aviation Administration that he had to land because he was low on fuel.
``He was very close to running out of fuel,'' Spangler said. ``He said he lost engine power while at 6,200 feet and didn't see the airport.'' The airport is 15 miles from the pasture.
``He did an absolutely excellent job of making an emergency landing,'' Spangler said. LaForest snagged a power line, which tripped a breaker and damaged a light on the plane's tail but caused no other damage.
When Spangler checked LaForest's documents, he found a medical certificate, which is required for all pilots, had expired in December 1992.
The trooper also said the pilot was not up-to-date in his qualifications for landings and takeoffs and was using automobile gasoline without a permit, which are FAA violations.
by CNB