Pilot Lost Engine Power, Crashed Into Trees in Fort Washington: Police

FORT WASHINGTON, MD — The pilot who crashed into a field near Fort Washington on Monday lost engine power shortly after takeoff from Potomac Airfield and struck several trees trying to land.

Gary Kempen, 63, of Rhode Island took off from the airfield at 11:30 a.m. Monday in a Piper Aire single-engine plane and ascended to about 1,100 feet when he began experiencing engine trouble, according to a report from Maryland State Police.

"Kempen attempted to return to Potomac Airfield, but lost complete power and began descending," the report states. "Kempen attempted to land the plane in an open field, but miscalculated his intended landing area. The plane landed and came to rest in a wooded area, striking several trees, causing extensive damage to the aircraft."

No one was injured on the ground, but Kempen had to be taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. He was flown to Prince George's Hospital Center by an MSP medevac helicopter.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be looking into the crash, the MSP report adds.

This is the plane that crashed in Prince George's County this morning near Potomac Air Field. Pilot is expected to be okay. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/aQGckmd9Iq
— Stephanie Gailhard (@stephitv) February 6, 2017

Image of a Piper aircraft via Wikimedia user Durksteel (Note: It is not the plane that crashed.)