Small plane hits Ashland County house after possible engine failure, OSHP says

ASHLAND COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - Officials from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) were on the scene of a plane crash Monday afternoon.

At approximately 2:41 p.m., the Wooster Dispatch Center received a report of an airplane crash on Township Road 523 in Montgomery Township in Ashland County.

Troopers immediately responded to the scene to conduct an investigation.

Preliminary information revealed to officials that a 1968 twin-engine Beechcraft Baron B55, piloted by Richard J. Nardone, 74, of Wapwallopen, Pennsylvania, was traveling eastbound from Vermilion, Illinois, to Scranton, Pennsylvania, when it reportedly experienced a possible engine failure.

OSHP said the aircraft initially struck a cornfield before continuing into a private yard, striking a residence.

After the plane struck the home, it came to a rest in an adjacent farm field.

The pilot, Nardone, and his passenger, Christina M. Stephens, 25, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, sustained minor injuries.

Both were treated and released at the scene by Ashland Fire & EMS, Troopers said.

At the time of the crash, one person was inside the residence that was struck by the aircraft but was not injured.

“It could have been very bad. So yes, we got lucky. The pilot, the occupant, the passenger, very lucky, everybody’s okay,” said Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Daniel Kumor.

A nearby farmer told 19 News he called 911 after watching the plane go down while preparing to plant wheat. He said he smelled fuel and rushed over to help everyone get out safely.

Investigators say plane crashes are rare in Ashland County — though they have responded to aircraft incidents, often involving takeoffs, landings or taxiing at the county airport.

“Highway Patrol, we occasionally do have to investigate airplane aircraft crashes. It happens from time to time, it’s not often. We have an airport here in Ashland County, so sometimes it’ll happen in the airport where they’re taking off or landing or taxiing, but it happens from time to time,” said Sgt. Daniel Kumor.

OSHP was assisted at the scene by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Fire & EMS, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“The FAA will come out, they’ll do their investigation on it and then they’ll begin the clean up and get the plane out of there,” said Sgt. Daniel Kumor.

The crash remains under investigation.