Single airplane injury crash in Auglaize County

Wapakoneta- The Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single airplane injury crash that occurred on April 11,2025, at approximately 1:30 p.m. in Auglaize County, Ohio. The crash happened in the area of Southland Road west of State Route 29.

Eugene A. Will, age 75, of Minster, Ohio, was pilot in a 2005 Beachcraft A36 single propeller airplane. Betty J. Will, age 74, of Minster, Ohio, was a passenger in the Beachcraft.

The preliminary investigation indicates the Beachcraft was flying from Auglaize County Neil Armstrong Airport in New Knoxville, Ohio, to Lewis University Airport in Romeoville, Illinois, when it experienced engine failure and performed an emergency landing in an agricultural field.

Eugene A. Will was not injured. Betty J. Will was injured and transported to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital by Saint Marys EMS.

The New Knoxville Police Department, New Knoxville Fire Department, Auglaize County Sheriff's Office, Auglaize County EMA, Auglaize County CERT, and Saint Marys EMS also responded to the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash

The crash remains under investigation by the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.