Pilot escapes small plane crash near Valley City

The pilot of a crop duster was reported to be alert and walking after crashing the plane near Valley City Friday afternoon.

Brian Welken, 45, of Valley City was flying in the Sanborn area when he experienced difficulties with the aircraft and attempted to set the plane down in an open field. While doing so, the plane clipped a corn field, flipped over onto its top and crashed in a slough in about 3-4 feet of water.

Lance Peterson says he was one of the first people on scene. He took pictures of the plane and shared them with Valley News Live.

Barnes County Sheriff’s Deputy Don Fiebiger, told News Dakota that Welken used an air pocket trapped in the craft to breathe before escaping from the plane. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration.