Thursday, January 26, 2012

Piper Seneca PA-34-200T, N111SM: Suffolk Executive Airport (KSFQ) Suffolk, Virginia

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A plane made an emergency landing in the grass at Suffolk Executive Airport on Thursday afternoon.

The twin engine 6-seater airplane reported that it was experiencing issues with its landing gear around 11:35 a.m., a news release from the City of Suffolk said.

After circling the airport several times to burn off fuel, the pilot brought the plane down around 12:20 p.m.

Two people were on board and no injuries were reported.

The plane left the Suffolk Executive Airport around 9:45 a.m. on a business trip to Cambridge Maryland, a trip which normally takes an hour.

Pilot George McClellan of McClellan Aviation Services reported that he was experiencing problems with his nose landing gear and aborted his initial attempt to land in Cambridge, returning his plane to Suffolk.

The plane had about 60 gallons of fuel on board, but there was no post-crash fire.

There was minor damage to the plane.

The crash is under investigation by the Virginia State Police, who handle all downed aircraft incidents.