BROOKSVILLE -- A small plane made a hard landing at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport after its landing gear failed to deploy, officials say.
Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to the airport shortly before 1 p.m. after receiving word about a twin-engine Senece airplane having mechanical difficulties.
The airport's tower instructed the plane, which was carrying three people, to circle the airport until emergency units were in position.
The pilot then brought the plane down, completing a hard landing alongside the airport's runway in a grassy area.
The three people inside the plane were able to get out safely. Medical personnel evaluated them and found no injuries.
The plane sustained moderate damage.
The fire department was also assisted by the Brooksville Fire Department and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.
"Thanks to the coordination between all agencies involved and the skill of the pilot, a much more serious ending to this event was averted," said Alex Lopez, HCFR's Division Chief of Training.
Story and photo gallery: http://www.baynews9.com
The twin engine Seneca airplane with 3 passengers aboard reported it was having difficulty about 12:49 p.m., officials said.
Fire rescue units responded to the airport in case they were needed.
The plane made a hard landing in a grassy alongside the airport’s runway, officials said.
While the plane sustained moderate damage, the occupants were able to get out of the plane and were not injured, officials said.
Airport management will investigate the incident, officials said.
Source: http://www.tbo.com
why do stupid pilots do this...land in the grass..more opportunity for something to snag and cause the airplane to diverge from course, and cause greater damage..gear up on the pavement is historically and scientifically safer
ReplyDeleteGlad they are fine.
ReplyDeleteSure great that there was no deaths on the ground or in the air coming down, simply amazing story.
Thanks for sharing!
Tom Ibach - Armchair quarterbacking. Go back to posting youtube videos of your microsoft flight simulator "experience".
ReplyDeleteNTSB and FAA suggest that putting the aircraft on the asphalt is likely to cause less damage to you and your aircraft than putting it on the grass. Just sayin' ...
ReplyDeleteDid the pilot not have the confidence in his aviation skills to land on the runway?
ReplyDeleteI surprised he didn't lose directional control when he landed on the grass.
ReplyDeleteTom is correct. Years of accident data backs up preference of concrete over grass. There is a higher probability of killing your passengers and self when the grass option is selected. Zero deaths on record for skidding down concrete. Its going to be the insurance company's aircraft anyway. They walked away which is awesome, but not the choice that physics favors.
ReplyDelete