Pilot makes emergency aircraft landing in Hancock County

WRTV/Jason Strong

Correction: A previous version of this article stated the pilot parachuted from the aircraft. A parachute was deployed from the aircraft itself.

HANCOCK COUNTY — The pilot of a small aircraft made an emergency landing early Friday near the Indianapolis Regional Airport in Hancock County, authorities say.

The pilot was located uninjured after they deployed a parachute to guide the aircraft down, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine.

The pilot was inside the aircraft when it landed, officials with the airport say.

The plane was located in a pond near a Carvana close by, near the intersection of County Road West 300 North and County Road North 700 West.

Officials tell WRTV the pilot was checked by medics at the scene and later released.

It is unclear what led to the emergency landing. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office says the pilot was heading for a destination in Florida. He reported that while trying to gain altitude, the engine started to sputter and stall

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will gather electronics from the aircraft to try to determine the cause of the issue, the sheriff's office said.

Indiana state troopers, Buck Creek Creek Township fire crews and Hancock County Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene.

A portion of Mount Comfort Road was temporarily blocked off.