Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing
By: Liz Gonzales
Updated: December 7, 2012
And down it went, straight to Mr. Compton's wheat field.
"All of a sudden they made a little turn and they hit hard, they hit the ground really hard. And I immediately called 911," explains Compton.
The emergency landing was due to total engine failure.
"If you hear helicopters and airplanes fly by like I do, I lived out here all my life so I know what they're suppose to sound like and this one was not normal," he says.
Robert Welch from Abilene was the instructor and pilot of the helicopter. Neil Overton from Throckmorton was the student but he was also the owner.
"One of the guys was hanging out the front and I thought he was the one hurt," explain Compton. "He got out and walked out there on the wheat and layed down, I thought 'oh boy he's hurt' but he seemed to be ok."
Both men were able to walk away from the accident with no injuries while managing to be courteous to field owner, Mr. Compton.
"They did a very good job. They missed the cows and landed perfect out in the field."
Unfortunately for the helicopter owner, it was a new purchase.
Fortunately State Troopers say Mr. Overton had just recently made his first insurance payment.
