Velocity XL-5
The pilot of this plane landed on the north runway, applied the brakes and slid off the runway into the grass.
Skybolt
The left landing gear collapsed on this plane.
Two "incidents" on Friday took some fun out of a popular airshow in Lakeland.
One aircraft skidded off a runway and into the grass at 8:12 a.m. during the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In at Lakeland.
The second incident, just three minutes later, happened when the left landing gear collapsed on an aircraft as it was landing at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.
It skidded about 100 feet.
"The runways were closed for approximately 45 minutes as the aircraft were removed,'' Lakeland Police Sgt. Gary Gross said in a statement. "The Lakeland Police Department handled the initial incident and the Federal Aviation Administration will follow-up with an investigation."
Photos: Orange County Jail Mug Shots
The first incident involved a 2011 Velocity XL-5 homebuilt/experimental aircraft operated by Jacksonville pilot Billy Ray Watkins, Jr., with two passengers on board.
The aircraft landed on the north runway, applied the brakes and slid off the runway into the grass.
"Emergency Response teams responded and there was no injuries and minimal damage to the aircraft," Gross said.
The second incident involved a 1989 Skybolt homebuilt/experimental aircraft.
The pilot, Scott Lee Geller, and a passenger arrived from Fort Myers and landed on the runway when the left landing gear collapsed.
The damage estimate was $15,000.
"The aircraft was towed to a nearby hanger. The pilot and passenger were not injured,'' Gross said.
The airshow runs through Sunday.
Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com
LAKELAND -- Lakeland Police are reporting two incidents at the Sun 'N Fun Fly-In.
No one was injured.
The first incident occurred at 8:12 a.m. Friday.
The pilot, Billy Ray Watkins, Jr. and two passengers were in a 2011 Velocity XL-5, homebuilt/experimental aircraft.
Watkins landed on the north runway, applied the brakes and slid off the runway into the grass.
There were no injuries and minimal damage to the aircraft.
The second aircraft incident happened three minutes later.
The pilot, 66-year-old Scott Lee Geller, and a passenger arrived from Ft. Myers and landed on the runway at which time the left landing gear collapsed and the plane skidded approximately 100 feet.
The aircraft, a 1989 Skybolt homemade/experimental plane, suffered approximately $15,000 in damage. The aircraft was towed to a nearby hanger.The pilot and passenger were not injured.
Source: http://www.baynews9.com
