CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO - The pilot of a small airplane, and a newspaper reporter who was a passenger, are recovering from injuries after the plane crashed at the airport in Cape Girardeau.

The crash happened Thursday. The Southeast Missourian reports that pilot John Ellis suffered minor injuries. James Samons, the entertainment reporter for the Southeast Missourian, was also hurt. He was aboard the plane to write a column about the experience, in anticipation of an open house at the airport on September 22.

Samons' injuries were not believed to be serious. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.