Engine Failure Caused Northwest Expressway Plane Crash

A pilot who killed in a plane crash on the Northwest Expressway reported engine failure right before the aircraft hit the ground.

Monday, July 27th 2009, 10:47 pm

By: News 9


By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY - A pilot who died in a plane crash on the Northwest Expressway reported engine failure right before the aircraft hit the ground.

Thankfully for the passengers on the single-engine plane, some of the witnesses to the crash were first responders.

EMSA said it took about 27 minutes from the time the plane crashed to when the five injured people were transported. Even though the pilot lost his life, EMSA said it could have been much worse.

An EMSA crew spotted the downed aircraft and moments later took command of a scene far more catastrophic than previously thought.

"The shock of watching an airplane crash and then immediately snapping into action; I don't care how much training you have, that is an incredible feat," said EMSA paramedic, Capt. Preston White.

Captain White was one of four EMSA crews dispatched Saturday to Northwest Expressway and Rockwell Avenue. He was at a nearby health fair. Upon arrival, he spotted paramedic Holly Weston and Rick Hogsett already hard at work.

"She (Holly Weston) was physically pushing patients on backboards out the luggage compartment," White said. "I spoke with Rick yesterday on the telephone and I said ‘If I am ever in a plane crash of all people to witness it, I would hope that you would be one of them.' And that goes for his partner as well."

Pilot Ron Meyer, 59, died shortly after the crash. The remaining four passengers are listed in fair and/or critical condition, a testament White said to the quick thinking of the EMSA crew.

"Things like this bring out the best in people and it brought out the best in both of them," White said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. It's not yet known what caused the engine to fail.

More on News9.com:

- 4 Injured in Plane Crash Remain Hospitalized
- 1 Killed in Aircraft Crash on Northwest Expressway

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