News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Sheldon Lyon
816-387-2345
H06087
June 24, 2008

EMPHASIS: Harrison County Plane Crash


On June 23, 2008, at 7:59 p.m. the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department contacted Troop H Headquarters and requested assistance with a plane crash near the Bethany Memorial Airport. Upon arrival, troopers found a single engine plane upside down that had struck a residence. The pilot received minor injuries during the crash and the resident inside the home was complaining of chest pains.

The plane had apparently attempted to take off from the airport to spray farm fields. The plane was loaded with 450 gallons of nitrogen, when it failed to take off and struck the residence. The pilot refused treatment and was identified as Steven Whary, of Oden, Texas. The resident was identified as Francis Zimmerman, of Bethany, MO. He was transported to the Harrison County Community Hospital.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.