SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — A pilot made an emergency landing in a field near Salem after his plane caught on fire.
The pilot was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. No one else was on the plane.
Officials said the pilot reported having mechanical issues while flying from the Albany area to the Aurora Airport.
He said the plane caught fire mid-flight, forcing him to land in a farm field near Jordan Street Southeast and Howell Prairie Road Southeast just before 1:30 p.m.
Deputies said the 73-year-old pilot is a military veteran with extensive flying experience dating back to Vietnam.
