Local Plane Ditches into a Grain Field in Central Aroostook

An emergency landing was necessary for the pilots of a small plane in Central Aroostook County. At approximately 12:13pm, Craig Maynard and his father, Rodney Maynard, were flying their 1961 Cessna 172 aircraft in the Westfield area when the plane developed engine trouble and they were forced to make an emergency landing in a grain field owned by Smith Farms.  

Maine State Police Cpl. Dennis Quint says the Maynards are from Dedham and had departed from the Houlton Airport. They did a touch-and-go landing at the Presque Isle Airport, and were returning to Houlton when the plane started having engine problems.

Rodney says he spotted the field when the trouble first started. Craig was able to get the plane turned back around and made the emergency landing. No one was injured in the crash and the plane was not damaged.

Last summer, Craig and Rodney Maynard made an emergency landing on Interstate 95, Houlton, after the same plane had engine trouble.

State police say in the incident the Cessna had engine problems immediately after taking off from Houlton International Airport.