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87-year-old pilot ready to fly again after crash in Adams County

CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP, Pa. — An 87-year-old pilot is ready to go back in the air again after he crashed his plane in Adams County this weekend. “It wa...

CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- An 87-year-old pilot is ready to go back in the air again after he crashed his plane in Adams County this weekend.

"It was like slow motion. I had no feeling of going down. Then all of a sudden I stopped."

Herbert Bartell has been flying planes since 1975 without any significant problems - until Saturday.

He was on his way to the Clearview Airpark from the Gettysburg Regional Airport when he started having engine problems.

He tried to land in a field - but ended up in the trees.

"I looked ahead and I saw the little bit of tree limbs that were in front of me and I thought I got it made because the limbs were so small. But unfortunately I guess under the plane there was one big enough one to catch the wheel and it just sent me straight down into the trees." Said Bartell.

But he says fear never crossed his mind.

Bartell called 9-1-1 and he was rescued three hours later - but his plane was totaled.

He says the whole time he sat on the panel of the plane and waited.

"I had no fear even when a tree's got me. It happened so quick. I've never had any fear. I've never had any afterthoughts. I just sat in that plane for three and a half hours."

He says he's only upset that he can't pass that plane down.

"The saddest part about the whole thing is my grandson's about, I think Kevin's about 23, somewhere around 23. He's got his pilot's license, flies my plane and he was going to get my plane."

Bartell says his family was just glad that he was ok.

His wife passed away about a year ago - and he says she was supportive of his passion.

"I know she wouldn't say anything about me going back up again. Because she knows how much I love flying."

He says flying is his way to escape the world below.

"It's just another world where you can be peaceful and enjoy yourself."

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