October 11, 2007
Private Plane Crash-Lands Near Ash Springs

Photo by Dave Maxwell No injuries to pilot and passenger after their small plane crash-landed in an open area near Ash Springs.

By Dave Maxwell

A man and wife, believed to be from Idaho, were uninjured when they had to crash-land their private plane in an open area between Ash Springs and the Bradshaw ranch early Tuesday afternoon.

A single engine Piper aircraft, piloted by Daniel Miller and his wife, whose name was not given, were flying south through Pahranagat Valley on their way to North Las Vegas about 12:45 pm when a loss of oil pressure seized up the engine. Investigating County Sheriff Deputy, Derek Foremaster, said the couple radioed Air Traffic Control, but could not find the Alamo landing strip, which is about five miles further south. When the plane’s engine finally froze up, they were forced to make a belly landing in the best place they could see; an open brushy area along the west side of U.S. Highway 93, between Ash Springs and the Bradshaw ranch. The plane went through the low-lying brush for 100 yards or more before coming to a stop upright. The Miller’s suffered no injuries, and although a bit shaken, declined medical attention from local EMTs. They were later given a ride into Las Vegas to arrange to have the plane removed.

Foremaster said Miller, an experienced pilot, was very lucky not to catch a wingtip during the landing and flip the plane, which might have resulted in serious injury.