Small Plane Makes Forced Landing On Scenic Highway In Pocahontas County

Marlinton, WV – According to a press release from the West Virginia State Police, First Sgt. J.P. Barlow reports that on October 18th, 2011 Dwayne McCourt, age 48 and his son Adam McCourt, age 27, of Webster Springs, WV departed from a private air strip in Upper Glade, WV in Webster County in a 2001 Bearhawk (4 seater) single engine airplane. While flying in the Cranberry Wilderness area, pilot Dwayne McCourt says the plane experienced mechanical difficulties.

According to McCourt, the engine was missing and losing power. The pilot landed the plane on WV Route 150, also known as the Scenic Highway in Pocahontas County, when the wing struck a signpost and caused the plane to travel into the embankment. Neither Dwayne McCourt nor his son Adam sought medical treatment.

The FAA and the NTSB have been notified of this incident and will be conducting an investigation.