Couple escapes serious injury in plane crash

ST. MARIES, Idaho — The engine on a small airplane failed as it was flying over North Idaho and the plane crashed as the pilot tried to land in a pasture near St. Maries. The pilot and his female passenger escaped serious injury. News reports said the Cessna C180 was flying from Lewiston to Coeur d’Alene when its engine failed Saturday. The pilot was trying to land in a field when the plane’s left wing struck a tree. Property owner Kurt Reed says the plane cartwheeled twice, the propeller hit the ground and the plane landed on its top. The woman was flown to the hospital as a precaution. The names of the pilot and his passenger have not been released.