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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The pilot of a crop spray plane was reported to be alert and walking after the aircraft lost power and went down in a slough near fields approximately 8 miles west and 2 miles south of Valley City.  The plane flipped over onto its top in 3-4 feet of water.  According to Barnes County Sheriff’s Deputy Don Fiebiger, the pilot used an air pocket trapped in the craft to breathe before escaping from the plane.  The North Dakota Highway Patrol reports the pilot, 45-year-old Brian Welken of Valley City was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Valley City with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Deputy Fiebiger spoke live with KOVC’s Tim Ost Friday afternoon.