Small aircraft glides onto Springfield-Branson airport without landing gear

Small aircraft glides onto Springfield-Branson airport without landing gear

2010-12-15 20:18:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI (BNO NEWS) -- A twin-engine Cessna carrying two passengers was able to land at the Springfield-Branson National Airport in Springfield, Missouri without its landing gear after a malfunction in the aircraft, airport officials said on Tuesday.

For almost an hour, the aircraft's pilot circled around the airport to burn off fuel, allowing the aircraft to safely glide onto the runway at around 5 p.m. local time.

During the landing, heavy sparks and smoke surrounded the aircraft, but no real fire was actually set, explained airport spokesman Kent Boyd. "It was unusual in that we had an hour to get ready for what was a crash landing," Boyd said, who witnessed the landing through binoculars.

During the wait, airport officials called firefighters and set up cranes and airbags to remove the aircraft in order for the runway to be operational.

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