Raymond Petry saved Allen Wayne Steiner from burning, Powhattan, Kansas, June 4, 1970. When his small airplane crash-landed in a muddy field, Steiner, 33, computer technician, was injured and lost consciousness. Flames appeared at the craft’s engine. Petry, 39, farmer, ran to the airplane and mounted the wing. By that time the flames were rising as much as four feet above the fuselage but were confined to the front end. The nearest flames were within four feet of Petry as he released Steiner’s seat belt but then found that his leg was caught. After freeing Steiner by pulling and tugging, Petry drew him onto the wing and thence to the muddy ground, where he dragged him away from the burning airplane. They were about five feet past the end of the wing when fuel leaking under the aircraft ignited and caused an explosive spread of flames initially rising as much as 40 feet into the air. Neither Petry nor Steiner was burned.
51544 – 5732
51544-5732