Single-Engine Plane Crashes Near Verdigris

A single-engine plane crashed near Verdigris Tuesday afternoon.

According to law enforcement sources, the plane went down in the 12000 block of East 540 Road, about 150 yards from a house.

The small Cessna took off from Tulsa International Airport and tried to land at a Rogers County airstrip, but went down about a mile short.

A German citizen, 39-year-old Markus Bastuck, was at the controls and his passenger, 36-year-old Andrew Anklam, both walked away from the crash with minor injuries to their faces.

Nearby neighbors said they were home when the plane crashed just a short walk from their front doors.

Kathy and Martin Howard said it all happened very fast. They said they could tell the plane was having some problems, and within seconds it was on the ground.

"It was trying to locate an air strip or where to land because they knew they were in trouble, but didn't make it," Martin said.

Kathy Howard said her family watched as the pilot attempted to put the plane down along a nearby landing strip but, instead, he went down between two trees across the street from their home.

"We ran down and they had gotten themselves out. Their faces were bloody, but it was amazing how fast they got themselves out of there, wow, unbelievable how fast it can happen just instantly," Martin said.

Kathy said, "I was talking to dispatch and they asked how many people and I said one and then said two and told her where we were. My son yelled to get gauze so I got gauze and one had a gash on forehead."

The 1988 plane registered out of Utah had taken off from Tulsa before investigators said it reported engine troubles.

Soon after it crash landed, neighbors said a police helicopter - apparently flying nearby- landed as well and then ambulances arrived.

The FAA was on the scene Tuesday and the NTSB is expected to arrive Wednesday. Until then, the Civil Air Patrol is monitoring the scene.