A downed aircraft collided with a fence on a private landing strip on Lopez Island. - Contributed photo
Contributed photo
A downed aircraft collided with a fence on a private landing strip on Lopez Island.

Lake Stevens man 'shaken, but otherwise uninjured' after rough landing on Lopez Island


July 18, 2011 · Updated 11:36 AM 

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A Lake Stevens pilot walked away "shaken, but otherwise uninjured" after the engine of his plane stalled and he was forced to make an emergency landing Saturday on Lopez Island.

According to the San Juan County Sheriff's Department, the pilot, a 59-year-old  man, was headed home from Roche Harbor when the engine of his Piper aircraft suffered complete failure at about 7 p.m., shortly after take-off. He was able to make a controlled "dead stick" landing on a private airstrip on the north end of the island and the plane struck a fence as it came to a stop.

The left wing of the plane was damaged by the impact. The pilot, who was flying solo, was uninjured.

The initial investigation will be conducted by the Sheriff's office. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the crash and is expected to conduct further investigation.

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