On Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 4:32 PM, Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Knox Hwy 12 and Knox Rd 1250 N following a report of an aircraft that had made an emergency landing.
The aircraft, a Cessna 172N occupied by three individuals, reportedly experienced a possible engine failure while in flight. The pilot safely executed an emergency landing in a nearby cornfield.
All three occupants safely exited the aircraft without injury. No injuries were reported on the ground, and there was no reported damage to any nearby structures.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and will conduct an inspection of the aircraft on Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also been notified of the incident.
Jet Air responded to the scene and assisted with recovery operations.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office commends the pilot for safely landing the aircraft, resulting in a successful outcome with no injuries.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office would also like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the first responders and assisting agencies whose quick response, professionalism, and teamwork helped ensure the safety of everyone involved.
The incident remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
***Courtesy of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office***
