Airplane drops into Teton River after engine quits during landing

A Ririe pilot walked away safely after his airplane stalled and dropped into the Teton River near the Rexburg Airport Saturday. Rexburg Police said 80-year-old Robert Melendez was flying in from the north to land at the airport at around 10:42 a.m. Saturday. According to reports, the engine quit when he attempted to throttle back. The plane entered into the river.
The Madison Fire Department removed the plane from the river with the help of a farmer and his tractor. The pilot was not injured and the plane suffered minor damage. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.