The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Exclusive: NEPA Woman Recounts Surviving Plane Crash on Dog Rescue Flight
It’s not every day you find yourself flying to rescue a dog in Illinois, but that’s the opportunity 25-year-old Christina Stevens found herself in on Monday.She
A 25-year-old dog trainer from Illinois, Christina Stevens, joined a rescue flight with pilot Rick to help a dog in need, marking an uncommon mission for her work with Mannered Mutts.
The flight was a wirehaired pointing griffon rescue operation that ended in a crash after the engines reportedly failed, leaving Stevens and the dog survivors in a cornfield in Ashland County, Ohio.
According to Stevens, the moment of impact came quickly after the aircraft began performing hard turns and the pilot indicated engine trouble, with the narrative suggesting a loss of power and control before the crash.
Investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with officials reviewing whether factors such as fuel, mechanical failure, or other issues contributed to the accident.
Stevens described the moment as a near-death experience, stating there was no time to contact anyone or photograph the event, and she expressed relief at surviving with minimal injuries.
Local observers, including Joe Lyons, provided imagery and described the crash site trajectory, noting the plane bounced off the ground before coming to rest; Stevens and the dog were taken from the scene shaken but unharmed.
Stevens said she plans to fly again to continue rescuing dogs, emphasizing her commitment to the work and a renewed sense of gratitude for being alive, as investigators continue their review of the incident.