Small plane crash lands in Warsaw

WARSAW, Ind. (WANE) - A single-prop plane crash landed at the Warsaw Municipal Airport late Sunday morning. Two people in the plane were not hurt.

Police said around 11:32 a.m., Thomas Kowalczk of Marblehead, Ohio, started descending to land his 1984 Mooney M201 plane at the Warsaw airport when a crosswind caught the airplane. That caused the plane to tip to the side and touch the ground. The plane then bounced several times as it tried to land. Police said the airplane crossed the runway and the taxiway before crashing into the airport fuel tank barriers and a fence.

The plane actually slid between the above-ground gasoline tank and the above-ground controls for jet fuel tanks that are underground. No fuel spilled and there was no fire.

Kowalczk's son, Brian Kowalczk, 42, was also in the plane. Neither one was hurt.

Warsaw police said Kowalczk took off Sunday morning from Marblehead, Ohio with a final destination of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The plane stopped to pick up parts in Port Clinton, Michigan then stopped at Lapier, Michigan before stopping to refuel at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.

Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the Indiana State Police, and Multi-Township EMS assisted Warsaw police at the scene. The Indiana State Police and the FAA will lead the investigation.