The pilot who survived a plane crash Tuesday in Boulder, Colo., said he made it out of the aircraft in the nick of time.

Albert Lean Jason Patton told the Tribune said he stepped out of the 1999 Kitfox Classic 4 experimental plane about 2 seconds before it was engulfed in flames. Patton is a Christian missionary who had purchased the aircraft to assist in his ministry work in Guatemala.

“I’m very thankful that the Lord saved me,” Patton said. “There was nothing left of that airplane.”

Patton said the propeller failed, stalling the engine. He reduced power and tried to land the plane but he clipped a fence post. That sent fuel shooting into the cockpit, he said. The plane turned sideways. When it came to a stop, he stepped out and then the plane burst into flames.

He said he had no injuries but added he is feeling a little stiff. He said he needed no medical care at all.

“The miracle is I could have lost my life. Planes don’t typically become engulfed in flames,” the 37-year-old said.

Patton had just purchased the airplane and had flown it only for eight hours. Even though it was a 1999 model, the previous owner didn’t use it much.

“It did not have a lot of hours,” he said.

Patton Ministries

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The aircraft

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Albert Lea Tribune’s initial story

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Boulder Daily Camera story and photos

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His ministry now needs a new airplane because the insurance money will cover the bank loan. He said he had searched for a plane for a long time before finding the one in Boulder for “a reasonable price.” He said the airplane would have been repairable if it hadn’t burned. Instead, it is a total loss.

The arrangement had been where he could use the plane to assist in fundraising. So now he is back at the drawing board for his airplane hopes. The plane would have helped him get from village to village in Guatemala.

Patton and his wife, Tressa, and three children live in Guatemala City. Tressa and the children were in Guatemala at the time of the crash at the Boulder Municipal Airport. The Pattons have done missionary work for 7 1/2 years. They have a Web site at www.pattonministries.org. It includes photographs of the aircraft before it crashed.

The mission includes giving humanitarian aid, helping children attend Christian-based schools and assisting widows. He is hoping for generosity to assist him find a new aircraft.

Two churches in Albert Lea support their missionary work — Calvary Baptist Church and Albert Lea Vineyard Church. He also receives support from Living Light Church in Winona and Living Way Church in Sioux Falls, S.D. He said matter-of-factly that it wasn’t the first brush with death he has experienced. He said missionary work can be more dangerous than many people realize.

Jason Patton graduated from Irondale High School in 1989 and Tressa Patton graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1992. Their three children are Zach, 5, Seth, 2, and Kaylee, 9 months. Patton earned his aviation certificates in the Albert Lea area.

Jason was able to spend Thanksgiving Day with relatives in Blue Earth and later this weekend with relatives in Grand Rapids.

“This is the first Thanksgiving I’ll be back for in five years,” he said.