Both Were Planning To Attend Annual Fly-In

Two Rand Robinson KR aircraft heading for the annual Rand Robinson Fly-In have gone down in separate accidents about nine hours apart in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

The website St. Louis Today says the Mount Vernon Register-News reports the first incident occurred on landing. Witnesses said a gust of wind caught the aircraft as it landed, causing it to flip over. The pilot was treated at a local hospital, and his condition was not known. FAA  spokesman Tony Molinaro said the plane was enroute to Mount Vernon from Greenwood, Indiana.

The second aircraft went down in a bean field several miles south of the airport. The pilot informed the airport by radio that he was experiencing engine problems and would not make the airstrip, according to the paper. Witnesses said the airplane engine was not working at the time of the forced landing. His condition was also not known.

Rand Robinson KR pilots have been gathering at the Mount Vernon airport annually for several years. The paper reports this is the first time there have been any problems with the kit-built aircraft at the Fly-In. The FAA and NTSB will investigate both incidents.

FMI: www.fly-kr.com