HARDEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

 PRESS RELEASE

January 19, 2009

For More Information, Call:

Colonel Claude Harris                                                            For Immediate Release

(863) 773-0304 ext. 217                                                             

FAX (863) 773-4593

AIRPLANE / EMERGENCY LANDING

        On January 18, 2009 at approximately 2:20 p.m. a single engine airplane made an emergency landing in the Ft. Green Springs area of Hardee County. The landing site was approximately 1.5 miles south east of the intersection of C.R. 663 and S.R. 62. The plane was a rented Cessna 152. The pilot advised the engine began to vibrate indicating an apparent engine problem. The pilot tried to glide to the Wauchula Municipal Airport. Due to a headwind he was forced to make an emergency landing in a field. Just before the plane stopped the front wheel hit a mound of dirt causing the plane to slowly flip over landing on its roof. The pilot and the passenger were uninjured. The two men were flying from an airport in Brooksville, Fl. to the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport which is located approximately 13 miles S.W. of Miami, Fl. They had flown from Miami to Brooksville earlier in the day. The pilot was logging cross-country flying hours. An Investigator with the FAA responded to the scene and is investigating the cause of the crash.

Pilot:

Ahmed Kamel Metwali

31 years old

Resident of Saudi Arabia and a mechanic with Saudi Air.

Passenger:

Saeed Dhafer Algahtani

29 years old

Resident to Saudi Arabia and a flight attendant with Saudi Air