May 21, 2026

Why a pilot was forced to land in a Kansas wheat field

Posted May 21, 2026 10:30 AM
Photo courtesy Jayd Powers
Photo courtesy Jayd Powers

RENO COUNTY—A pilot and passenger avoided injured after forced to make an emergency landing just after 6p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Timmer William Air Cam - Aircraft piloted by Steven Craig Suddarth, 66, Edgewood, New Mexico, ran out of fuel and landed in a wheat field on East 20th and Fountainwood, near Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Photo courtesy Jayd Powers
Photo courtesy Jayd Powers

Reno County EMS evaluated Suddarth and his passenger Deborah Annette Suddarth, 71, Edgewood, New Mexico, at the scene and they were later released without being transported to a hospital.