Concerns about a potential malfunction led to an engine failure while in flight — and a non-injury crash near Gardner for one pilot Friday.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says the small plane had left the New Century Airport near Olathe and was traveling southwest near Melvern when the pilot, 59-year-old Jashawant Patel of Overland Park, felt the plane’s engine wasn’t working properly. Patel began returning to New Century, but the engine completely failed and the cockpit filled with smoke.
Patel did a forced landing just south of Gardner Municipal Airport shortly before noon. The plane hit a culvert and overturned on its top.
Neither Patel nor a passenger, 42-year-old Gary Waters of LaCygne, were hurt. Both were wearing safety restraints.
It’s unclear what led to the engine failure.
