The Niles Star

Pilot makes emergency landing in Niles Township field

A Valparaiso, Ind. pilot flying to Dowagiac is uninjured after making an emergency landing Thursday afternoon in a cornfield in Niles Township.

At 12:49 p.m., local authorities in the Niles-Buchanan area were alerted by the South Bend Airport of a single engine plane, flown by James Pickett Sr., having engine trouble. The plane was spotted flying low near Walton Road and the St. Joseph Valley Parkway by officers.

While searching for the plane responders were advised the pilot had to make an emergency landing.

A search plane was requested from the South Bend Regional Airport to assist with locating the distressed plane. The search plane was able to locate the downed plane in a cornfield off Range Line Road, south of Matthew Road in Niles Township. Emergency responders were able to locate the plane and pilot in the cornfield.

The airplane is a Piper Warrior II single engine prop-plane. The pilot, 64, was the sole occupant of the airplane and reported he took off from Valparaiso to Dowagiac when he experienced engine failure at 3,000 feet. The pilot was able to circle a cornfield until he could safely land the plane in the field.

The plane, surprisingly, had minimal damage and the Federal Aviation Administration was contacted to respond for further investigation.

Area agencies responding to this incident included the BCSD-Niles Township Patrol, The Berrien County Sheriff South County Patrol, Buchanan City Police, Niles Township Fire Department, Niles City Fire Department, and Southwest Michigan Community Ambulance Service.