HAYESVILLE, OH – A student pilot and his instructor were hospitalized Saturday after their small aircraft crash-landed in a rural field off Hayesville Road.
Authorities were dispatched to the area near 11952 Hayesville Rd. just after noon on April 13 following a pair of 911 calls, the first reported as accidental. Moments later, dispatch received a second call from the same number reporting that a plane had crashed.
When deputies arrived, they found a white and brown single-propeller aircraft heavily damaged, with visible destruction to its nose, wings, tail, landing gear, and cockpit windshield. The plane was leaking fuel from its wings, raising concerns about the environmental and fire risk.
The occupants of the aircraft were identified as Christopher Kerns, the flight instructor, and Anthony Moody, the student pilot. According to the investigation, Moody was attempting to land the plane on a grassy strip into the wind. However, wind conditions—blowing at 6 mph from the south—created a crosswind that made landing difficult.
Kerns told authorities that he took control of the aircraft when Moody struggled with the landing and runway space was running out. Despite the instructor’s efforts, the plane crash-landed.
Both men were transported to the hospital for evaluation. The FAA and NTSB were notified, and NTSB investigator Ryan Endrs is expected to continue the investigation. As of April 13, officials had not confirmed the origin of the flight.
Authorities allowed the aircraft to be moved from the roadway, with the consent of the property owners, who are reportedly acquaintances of Moody. Aerial photos of the crash site were taken by drone, and the scene was cleared without further incident.
The FAA is expected to be on-site April 14 to continue the investigation.
