sealPurdue News
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October 5, 1997

Plane crashes near Purdue airport

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza airplane piloted by John T. Lawler, of Naples, Fl, crashed near the Purdue University Airport at approximately 5:23 p.m. on Sunday. Lawler was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette where he is listed in critical condition. There were no other passengers in the plane with the 80 year old pilot. The crash occurred a quarter mile east of the airport in a sandy, gravel mining area. The plane was attempting to land at the airport. The front section of the plane was damaged when it struck a dirt embankment but the rest of the plane was intact. There was no fire.

The Federal Aviation Authority will be at the site on Monday to begin an investigation.

Writer: Grady Jones, University News Service, (765) 494-2079 office; e-mail grady_jones@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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