Small Plane Crashes Near Tipton Airport; Pilot, Passenger Rescued

LAUREL, MD — Authorities are investigating a small plane crash that happened about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday evening in a wooded area near the Tipton Airport. No injuries were reported, said Anne Arundel County Police.

The plane came down in trees near Maryland 198 and Bald Eagle in Laurel. Maryland State Police said Thomas Falk, 55, of Silver Spring, was the plane's pilot, and James Palazak, 59, of Columbia, was a passenger. Both were taken to the R Adam Cowley Shock Trauma Center as a precaution.

The plane, a Socata Tampico, was stuck about 50 feet above ground with the two men still inside when emergency responders arrived. While one man was rescued by ladder, fire crews from Anne Arundel and Howard County had to rig ropes up to lower the second man to the ground.

The plane may have had engine failure, according to investigators on scene.

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the cause of the crash.

State troopers from the Glen Burnie Barrack responded to the scene. Anne Arundel County Fire Department personnel and police officers from the Anne Arundel County Police Department also responded for assistance.