24-year-old flight instructor recounts moments before plane loses power, crashes in Northeast Philly
New details after 2 injured in plane crash in Northeast Philly
A small plane from Fly Legacy Aviation crashed in Fluehr Park, Northeast Philadelphia, injuring two people, including an off-duty police officer in pilot training and a 24-year-old flight instructor.
PHILADELPHIA - Investigators say a small plane crashed in Fluehr Park on Grant Avenue around 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, leaving two people injured.
The aircraft belonged to Fly Legacy Aviation flight school at Northeast Philadelphia Airport.
Off-duty officer among 2 hurt in Fluehr Park plane crash in Northeast Philly
A small plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon, leading to a large emergency response and sending two people to the hospital.
Flight instructor describes emergency landing in park
What we know:
The plane was finishing up training maneuvers when it lost power over the Delaware River, according to flight instructor John Aytch.
He said he had only minutes to find a safe place to land.
"A sigh of relief, and then a moment where I was like, wow, that one was actually like for real," said Aytch.
Aytch was with 43-year-old Dan Eckert, an off-duty Philadelphia police officer who was close to taking his pilot’s exam. Air traffic control audio captured the urgency as the plane needed to land immediately.
The plane hit a tree in Fluehr Park before coming to rest. Both men survived, with Aytch walking away with minor cuts and bruises and Eckert suffering leg injuries.
The backstory:
Aytch started flying as a teenager and has been an instructor with Fly Legacy Aviation for the past year.
He credits his training for staying calm during the emergency.
"There wasn’t that much time for you to kind of sit there and process what’s going on so like all of the training that we did it just kind of kicked in and we just and really didn’t process like what I just did until we were already on the ground and I was just like wow," said Aytch.
Fly Legacy Aviation’s general manager, Alex Souponetsky, praised the instructor’s actions.
"He identified this field to land and thank God they were able to land safely and just walk out with you know injuries and no fatalities," said Souponetsky.
The FAA continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
The plane was removed from the park a few hours after the crash, but the tree it hit remains visible.
Local perspective:
Both men say they plan to return to flying as soon as possible.
Officer Eckert, who remains in the hospital, told FOX 29 he is doing well and looks forward to getting back in the air.
Aytch echoed that sentiment, saying he also plans to fly again soon.
The crash highlights the importance of training and quick thinking in emergency situations.
"The skill is not to panic in an emergency situation and have the muscle memory to do what’s right and be calm and do what’s needed to be done rather than panicking," said Souponetsky.
The park is a popular spot in Northeast Philadelphia, and the quick decision to land there likely prevented further injuries.
What we don't know:
The FAA investigation is ongoing, and the exact cause of the engine failure has not been determined.
It is not yet clear when Officer Eckert will be released from the hospital or when the two men will return to flying.
The Source: Information from FOX 29 interviews and the Federal Aviation Administration.