By Jason Johnston
Emporia Gazette – August 29, 2013
The Kansas Highway Patrol released the name of the male pilot today who sustained minor injuries in Wednesday’s airplane crash west of Emporia.
James Zerkel, 82, who lives near Joplin, Mo., was flying a Challenger Experimental Light Sport aircraft from Herington Regional Airport to Joplin when the plane went down about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, said Master Trooper Chris Markham of Troop G.
“At this point, it appears to have been caused by mechanical failure,” Markham said.
Zerkel was able to get out of the aircraft, which was in a creek east of Road B5, and he walked to West U.S. Highway 50, Markham said. He sought medical treatment on his own.
An ambulance with the Emporia Fire Department transported Zerkel from Road C and Highway 50 to Newman Regional Health.
Earlier reports indicated the aircraft was an Ultralight Challenger, but Markham said the plane was actually called a Challenger Experimental Light Sport aircraft
The crash is still under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, he said.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office also assisted with the incident.
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