Fairfield County Plane Crash Leaves 2 Seriously Injured
A single-engine aircraft crash in Fairfield County on the night of May 3 left 2 young adults with serious injuries after a reported mechanical failure, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Authorities from the Lancaster post stated that the crash occurred at approximately 10:41 p.m. along Rainbow Drive, between Noland Drive and State Route 188 in Pleasant Township. Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene shortly after receiving reports of the incident.
The aircraft’s pilot, 19-year-old Grant Keefer of Lancaster, and his passenger, 18-year-old Harper Kline, sustained serious injuries. Both were transported by ground ambulance to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center for treatment.
Preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft, a 1961 Cessna 182D Skylane, was traveling westbound from Martinsburg, West Virginia, en route to Fairfield County Airport. As the plane approached its destination, it reportedly developed an unspecified mechanical issue, prompting an attempted emergency landing.During the descent, the aircraft collided with several trees before ultimately crashing, authorities said.
The incident remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, while the Federal Aviation Administration will conduct a separate review to determine the cause of the mechanical failure.Public records show that Keefer is a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and had recently obtained his private pilot’s license in April. Additional records from the Federal Aviation Administration indicate that the aircraft’s registration status is currently listed as pending, with a note suggesting it may not have been cleared for operation.The aircraft is registered under Keefer Aviation LLC and is reportedly based at a private residence linked to the pilot’s family.
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