Pilot lands safely despite hole in airplane's tire

A Denver pilot on his way to a flying competition had his ability tested Monday afternoon when he tried to land at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

John Klitzke, 21, and two passengers in his single-engine Cessna 17B left Kansas City Monday morning en route to Smyrna, Tenn. They left Denver for Kansas City Sunday. Klitzke planned to land in Cape Girardeau to rest and refuel, but about 60 miles out of Kansas City he noticed a hole in his right tire. He radioed to the airport that he thought he might have a problem while landing.

While airport manager Bruce Loy notified emergency crews, Klitzke circled the airport.

Loy and assistant fire chief Mark Hasheider noted the timing of having to go into an Alert 2 mode just two days after a disaster drill at the airport. The airport fire apparatus rolled out and was joined by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department, and the fire departments from Delta and Scott City.

Klitzke, who said he has been flying for four years, said he didn't have time to be nervous.

"I was at a point where I had to put my brainpower into doing the right thing," he said.

The Cessna landed safely and a mechanic checked the tire, declaring it fit enough to take the trio to a larger airport where the tire could be repaired. The tire had a hole, but it did not go through the tire.

Klitzke and his two companions are full-time aviation students at Metro State College in Denver. They were on their way to a NIFA Safe-Con 2004 competition (National Intercollegiate Flying Association) in Smyrna, near Nashville. Klitzke said he plans to be a professional pilot.