Airplane Impacted Terrain And Caught Fire

Pilot John Shell was able to walk away from an accident which occurred Monday afternoon in Morganton, NC.

The News-Herald newspaper reports that Shell, 84, was described as "bruised and banged up" with lacerations to his face by a source close to the pilot. He was initially transported to Carolinas HealthCare Systems Blue Ridge in Morganton, and was later taken to a hospital in Charlotte for further observation.

Shell was flying his modified T-6 Texan called "Super 6". Capt. Jason Whisnant with the Morganton Department of Public Safety said that there appeared to have been a mechanical issue with the airplane. It went down in a field about 1630 local time. Shell was able to exit the aircraft before it caught fire.

Shell was the only person on board the Super 6 when it went down. A good Samaritan who assisted Shell before authorities arrived said that he was alert and coherent, and was able to get to a vehicle under his own power.

The airplane was a total loss.

(Images from Burke County EMS and YouTube video)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov