Plane Carrying Federal Prisoner Crash Lands at Geauga Airport

Staff RepoRt

A twin-engine prisoner transport aircraft carrying one prisoner, a pilot and four law enforcement personnel called in an engine failure around 9 a.m. Jan. 18 on its way from Youngstown to Detroit, forcing the aircraft to crash-land at the Geauga County Airport, said Middlefield Village Police Chief Joe Tucholski.

After the plane began to have engine trouble, the pilot attempted to land it at the airport, but the landing exceeded the length of the runway and “subsequently caused moderate damage to the aircraft,” said Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Ray Santiago in a statement. Specifically, the fuselage and landing gear were impacted, according to News 5 Cleveland.

No one was injured when the aircraft made an emergency landing at Geauga County Airport, Tucholski said.

“The pilot landed with a tailwind and slid off the end of the runway,” the chief said. “There was significant damage to the aircraft, but nobody was hurt.”

Middlefield police and fire personnel were first on the scene.

“They had everyone off the plane when we got there,” he said, idence while medical personnel checked them out.

The prisoner was secured in the police vehicle, Tucholski said.

Ric Blamer, airport manager, said he first heard of the incident on his way to work from an individual at the airport at about 9 a.m.

“He heard the sirens and saw the flashers. I was about five minutes out in Burton,” Blamer said,

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“The airplane had departed the runway and came to rest in a neighbor’s field,” Blamer said. “I did get to chat briefly with most of the passengers and pilot.”

The Piper Navajo twin-engine plane was full of fuel and Blamer credited the pilot for the landing.

“The pilot did an excellent job of protecting life and property,” he said. “There was no damage to the

Middlefield Fire Department was quick to arrive at the scene, using the Amish neighbor’s driveway, but there was no need to lay down foam. Due to the manner of the landing, there was no danger of fire, Blamer said.

The Aviation Safety Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration arrived within three hours community, the Middlefield Post strives to bring you complete coverage.

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Maple 101 Workshop

Jan. 28, 9 a.m. to noon

Geauga County Park District Center and Geauga County Ohio State University Extension Office will present Maple 101 at the West Woods Nature Center in Russell Township.

The beginner class takes participants through the entire process of making maple syrup, from tree ID to successfully producing bottles of pure maple syrup. The program is designed not only for the hobby producer but also for the small producer.

The program is free, but preregistration is requested by Jan. 25.

For more information, call OSU Extension Office at 440-834-4656.

College Information Session

Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.

Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation (LEAF) will hold a free virtual information session, “Gear Up for Your Future Virtual Information Session,” for current freshmen, sophomores and juniors on a Google Meet.

Learn how to prepare for the next steps, get the most out of high school experiences and find a good fit for the future.

Register online at www.leaf-ohio.org or call 440-525-7095.

State of Geauga

Feb. 3, 8-10 a.m.

Geauga Growth Partnership, Kent State University at Geauga and Leadership Geauga will present their annual “State of Geauga” at the next Geauga Economic Leadership (G.E.L.) breakfast taking place at KSU Geauga, 14111 Claridon-Troy Road, Burton. A panel of community leaders will discuss and provide updates about the community.

To register, email info@geaugagrowth. com or call 440-564-1060.

Hot Dog Dinner

Feb. 9, 4-6 p.m.

The Bloomfield-Mespo Athletic Booster Club is hosting a hot dog dinner before the

Bloomfield/Saint John basketball game in the high school cafeteria. Dinner prices range from $5 to $7. Carryout will be available.

For more information, call 440-685-4711.

LCRTA Lunch Meeting

Feb. 14, 11 a.m.

The Lake County Retired Teachers Association will meet at the Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Avenue, Mentor. Social time will be followed by a chicken or vegetarian wrap luncheon and program at 11:30 a.m.

Speaker Dale Fellows, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation contributor, will present “Meet the President: George Washington.”

For reservations, send a check payable to “LCRTA” for $14 to Susan McCarter, 9720 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Concord, OH 44060 to arrive by Feb. 3.

Meetings are open to all who are interested in education. All newly retired teachers are encouraged to attend.

For more information, visit lakecountyrta.weebly.com

Spring Fish Sale

April 13, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

The Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual spring fish sale will be held on the midway at the Geauga County Fairgrounds. To place an order, visit www.geaugaswcd.com.

Order deadline is April 7. All proceeds support the district’s education programs. Questions? Call 440-834-1122.

Life Recovery 12 Step Meeting

Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m.

The open group for men and women meets weekly at Horizons Christian Assembly, 14920 White Road in Middlefield and welcomes anyone struggling with grief, alcoholism, addiction, depression, co-dependency or any other habit that lessens the quality of life.

Learn more at www.Horizons4you.com/ LifeRecovery.