In August 2019, while flying N735D from Kissimmee (KISM) to Valkaria (X26), we experienced an engine failure at 1,100 feet. With less than 60 seconds to act, I had to attempt an engine restart, find a safe landing spot, and do everything possible to minimize damage or harm to people on the ground. The only option was a nearby farm, but the terrain presented its own challenges.

I turned the aircraft around and aimed for the field. As we approached, I saw a barbed wire fence at the edge, with the soft ground rising toward it. The moment we hit the soft soil, the nose of the plane dug in, and with the engine weight in the back, the plane flipped and spun, coming to a stop on its roof. Despite the violent impact, the cabin remained intact, but the situation was dire.

I broke a window and crawled out of the wreckage, but my wife remained trapped inside, seriously injured and unable to move. My own injuries, while not life-threatening, left me unable to get help on my own. Time was against us, and though my injuries were painful, it became clear that my wife’s condition was becoming critical.

Thankfully, the ELT 345 beacon had been triggered by the crash, automatically notifying the Air Force.