**Willow Creek, Iowa –** A desperate, improvised flight across the Missouri River this afternoon has brought a wave of concern and a formal investigation underway following a harrowing incident involving a young boy and a remarkably resourceful, if unconventional, aircraft. The event, centered around the small town of Willow Creek, Iowa, has shaken the community and raised fundamental questions about safety and the lengths to which a child will go to reunite with his family.

The incident began shortly after 2:00 PM, when ten-year-old Jack “Flyer” Coleman, along with his younger brother, six-year-old Theo, became separated from their parents during a family outing near the river. Witnesses report that Jack, known locally for his fascination with aviation and a collection of scavenged parts, quickly set to work constructing a rudimentary airplane from a repurposed wagon, scrap wood, and an old lawnmower engine. He reportedly managed to launch the contraption, dubbed “The Wanderer,” with Theo aboard, aiming for the family’s farm located approximately 25 miles north.

“It was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen,” recounted local farmer, Earl Peterson, who witnessed the launch. “That boy, he just…built it. Like he’d done it a hundred times before. And then he just jumped in and went for it. I figured he was pulling a prank, honestly.”

The flight, lasting roughly 45 minutes, was fraught with difficulties. “The Wanderer” experienced several near-catastrophic malfunctions, including a brief engine stall and a dramatic descent requiring a hasty, and reportedly clumsy, landing in a cornfield. Both boys were unharmed, though Theo sustained minor scrapes and bruises.

Sheriff Brody confirmed that a full investigation is now underway, focusing on the legality of the aircraft’s construction and operation, as well as the potential safety hazards involved. “We’re looking into everything,” Sheriff Brody stated. “This isn’t about punishing a child; it’s about ensuring that this kind of…independent engineering doesn’t happen again without proper oversight.”

Adding to the strangeness, a local mechanic, Mr. Silas Blackwood, claims to have observed Jack tinkering with similar aircraft designs for years, suggesting a pre-existing, almost obsessive, interest in flight. “He’s always been a bright boy,” Blackwood said, “but… he’s got a singular focus. Like he’s driven to build things that shouldn’t be built.”

The incident has reignited debate within Willow Creek about the balance between youthful ingenuity and the potential for unintended consequences. The long-term implications of “The Wanderer’s” flight remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the story of Jack Coleman and his makeshift airplane will be a lasting part of Willow Creek’s history.