Out of Gas, Pilot Lands Safely on County Road FF

Plane Towed to Take Off Point on CR FF

The pilot of a single engine airplane thought he had enough fuel to make it to the Lamar Airport for a fill-up on Wednesday, May 30, but was about a quart low and a few miles short of his goal.  It was a safe landing and according to authorities, the pilot had intended to land in Holly, but decided to make a run for Lamar.  According to Prowers County Rural Fire Chief Staffon Warn, he had looked at his options to land on US 287 near Spreading Antlers Golf Course, but chose CR FF since it didn’t have any telephone or power poles or traffic.   

The aircraft touched down on the road west of where South 14^th runs into CR FF.  Deputies gave his plane a tow further west on FF to where it ends at Rex Walker’s property so he could take off from that site.  Deputies called the airport to have enough fuel brought out to where he could fly to the airport for a fill-up.  The Rural Fire Department had a truck standby for the takeoff.   The pilot told authorities he has been flying since the mid 60’s, and this wasn’t the first time he’s run out of gas.  It took less  than an hour from touchdown to liftoff.

By Russ Baldwin

(courtesy photo)