Hard landing injures two

Around 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, a 1943 Boeing PT-17 Kaydet Stearman flipped over shortly after landing and injured the pilot and passenger at Peach State Airport, a public grass strip in Williamson. According to airport owner Ron Alexander, the flight originated at a private air strip in Madison, Georgia. The pilot and one passenger were flying into Candler Field for the Golden Wings luncheon hosted by Barnstormers Grill and attended by Delta pilots 50 and over, current and retired. He said at approximately 11:15 a.m. the plane had a rough landing and departed the runway. The plane hit an embankment and flipped. Emergency Medical Responder Jodi O’Neal said both pilot and passenger had self-extricated upon her arrival. Both patients were transported by Mid Georgia Ambulance to Spalding Regional Medical Center. Capt. Jeff Oliver who was at the scene said PT-17s were used as primary trainers during World War II before pilots moved on to more advanced aircraft. The airport is also known as Peach State Aerodrome and is the location of Candler Field Museum.