Aircraft Lost Part Of A Wing When The Engine "Blew Up"

The pilot of a kit-built jet successfully made an emergency landing just short of the runway at Loveland, Colorado, about 1000 Sunday after the plane's engine "blew up" in flight, causing the airplane to lose at least a portion of one wing.

Reciprocating-Engine Berkut

The 54 year old pilot from Wellington, CO, who did not wish to be identified, was not the person who built the Berkut single-engine canard-configured jet. The aircraft based on the Rutan-design Long-EZ.

The Loveland Reporter-Herald reports that the pilot was flying at about 7,500 feet when the engine "exploded". He turned back to attempt to land at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal airport, but was unable to make the runway. He landed in a private field, skidding about 200 feet through a fence and across a road before impacting an embankment and coming to a stop. The pilot walked away from the forced landing apparently unharmed. A witness said the plane's right wing appeared to be broken in half.

FAA records show that the Berkut was owned by Jerrold Jorritsma of Wellington, CO. Jorritsma was issued an airworthiness certificate for the airplane on August 1, 2006. Investigation of the accident is ongoing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov