Full Notification

At approximately 11:32 a.m. today, a single prop aircraft crash landed at Warsaw Municipal Airport after crosswinds tipped the plane as it attempted to land. The plane, a 1984 Mooney M201 took off this morning from Marblehead, Ohio with a final destination of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The plane had stopped to pick up parts at Port Clinton, Michigan and then stopped at Lapier, Michigan before stopping to refuel at Warsaw Municipal Airport. The pilot, 63 year old, Thomas Kowalczk, of Marblehead, Ohio stated that as he decended southbound toward the Warsaw runway, a severe crosswind caught the airplane. The airplane tipped to the side causing the wing to touch the ground and resulted in the plane bouncing several times as it tried to land. The airplane crossed the runway and the ajoining taxiway before crashing into the airport fuel tank barriers and a fence. The plane slid in-between an above ground gasoline tank and the above ground controls of underground jet fuel tanks. There was no fire and no fuel was spilled. There was significant damage to the aircraft and to the airport fence. There was minimal damage to the fuel tank barrier. The pilot's son, Brian Kowalczk, 42 years old, of Allendale, Michigan was flying with his father and neither were injured. Warsaw Police were assisted by the Warsaw/Wayne Fire Territory, the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, the Indiana State Police, and Multi-Township EMS. The Indiana State Police and the FAA will lead the investigation.
There are no further details.
Photographs attached.

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