Mechanical problems forced the pilot of a single-engine airplane to make an emergency landing short of St. Cloud Airport, damaging one of its wings but sparing injury among the four people aboard, authorities said Monday.
The unexpected landing occurred about 1:45 p.m. Sunday northeast of Rice, Minn., on 15th Avenue NE., and ended just short of 160th Street, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
The pilot, Craig Burfeind, 52, of Chanhassen, said he detected trouble with the Cirrus four-seater while flying from Mankato to Breezy Point in central Minnesota.
Hoping to make it to the St. Cloud Airport about 20 miles to the south, Burfeind settled for landing on the road and then veering into a ditch to avoid hitting a vehicle, the Sheriff's Office added. At some point, a wing hit a utility pole support wire and was slightly damaged.
The Federal Aviation Administration will look into the circumstances of the emergency landing.
Paul Walsh
