Emergency landing made in Eastman ball field when townsman flips on lights
A private helicopter was having difficulty flying in foggy conditions Monday night, Sept. 3. Thanks to the quick thinking of community member, Butch Colson, who thought to turn on the Eastman ball field lights, the pilot landed the aircraft safely. (Photo by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
A private helicopter carrying a pilot and two passengers made an emergency, yet safe, landing on the ball field in Eastman, late Monday around 8:30 p.m.
Community members were alarmed to hear the low-flying helicopter seemingly searching for a place to land, as heavy fog made flying conditions difficult in the area. According to fire chief Tim Sprosty and village employee Jon Payne, it was the quick thinking of one community member, Butch Colson, who thought to flip on the ballpark lights, that resulted in a happy ending for all on board and for local first responders, who were glad this was not a rescue situation but only an unforgettable memory.
Colson said the helicopter was passing through, from Minneapolis to Monroe, when thick fog came on swiftly. Thanks to his GPS, the pilot knew where the Boscobel airport was but couldn’t see well enough to get there. He began flying low around Eastman, searching for a good place to land in a field or on a roadway. He also saw the village’s water tower light and considered trying to land the helicopter in the ballpark parking lot, which is tightly-flanked with high wires.
“There was probably 75-100 people up there when it landed,” Colson said.
The pilot later relayed that, as soon as the ball lights came on, he and his two female passengers knew the field was the perfect place to land.
The trio on board stayed in a Prairie du Chien hotel overnight and were back safely in the skies early Tuesday morning, headed for their next destination.
They’ve been invited back to the village for its annual Hog Roast Sept. 29. Sprosty said, they might return, if they’re guaranteed such an excellent landing zone.
The Courier Press was unable to obtain the names of those in the helicopter.
According to Sheriff Dale McCullick, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department did not even need to respond to the incident, as it was handled very well by the small community.
