Amazing Story Of Survival

The aircraft was destroyed. The house it hit was destroyed. But miraculously, everybody walked away. Does that make it a good landing?

It happened at 7:05 (CDT) Sunday night in Pauls Valley (OK). Pilot Charles Gregory Lucas and passenger Kevin Otto Eubanks had just departed the Pauls Valley Airport for "a trip around the patch" in Lucas's 1946 Stinson, according to a Pauls Valley Fire dispatcher. But just after take-off, the aircraft lost power. Officials say Lucas tried to turn back for the runway. But he couldn't clear the roof of the house.

"The pilot and passenger, at that time, once they crashed through the roof of the house... were able to open the doors of the aircraft," said Oklahoma State Trooper Tommy Riddle, in an interview with KOCO TV in Oklahoma City. Lucas and Eubanks then climbed back onto the roof, he said. "At that time, a neighbor had ran up to the house and set up a ladder for them. They were able to climb down the ladder."

Lucas and Eubanks were unhurt. There were no injuries on the ground, either. Neighbors said the homeowners were in South Dakota on vacation. Imagine their surprise when they get back...

FMI: www.faa.gov