Commercial Pilot Crash-Lands Biplane in Isanti County Field

CAMBRIDGE -- An experienced commercial airline pilot has crash-landed an ailing, old-time biplane in a soybean field just north of the Twin Cities, allowing him and his passenger to walk away uninjured.

61-year-old Scott Grieger guided his U.S. Navy biplane under electrical powerlines and over a road in rural Isanti County before descending to the ground Saturday evening.

Sheriff Chris Caulk says Grieger and 31-year-old passenger Mitchell Osowski were walking around moments after the landing and didn't need to call an ambulance.

Caulk says the plane had leaking oil on its only engine after it "blew a rod" while flying from the Duluth Airshow back to Anoka County.

Caulk says Grieger has logged more than 25,000 hours during his years as a commercial pilot.