Small plane makes emergency landing north of Camas

Firefighters responded to an incident Friday morning in which an aircraft taking off from Grove Field made an emergency landing.

East County Fire and Rescue crews were dispatched at 10:21 a.m. to 632 N.E. 267th Ave., for a report of a small aircraft emergency. The address is home to FLYIT Academy, a training school and maintenance shop at the airfield, which is 3 miles north of Camas on state Highway 500.

When firefighters arrived, people from the academy approached and explained that a trainer and student were practicing taking off and landing when the airplane lost power, Fire Chief Mike Carnes said.

A witness to the emergency landing who lives nearby said his son was out in the field walking the dog when he heard a loud bang from overhead. The plane hadn’t ascended much and traveled about 200 yards before making a hard landing, according to the witness, who did not want to be named.

The pilot was able to land the plane in an open, grassy field across the highway. There were no injuries as a result of the incident, Carnes said.

Firefighters’ response lasted about 15 minutes, according to the chief.

A person who answered the phone at the flight school described the incident as minor and said the plane was being inspected.