Pilot forgets to drop landing gear, but avoids injury
A pilot who apparently forgot to put down his landing gear averted injury Saturday afternoon when he landed his plane at Washington County Airport.
The aircraft, a single-engine Mooney 205, piloted by Jean-Dominique Le Garrec, of Squirrel Hill, sustained damage, but no fuel was spilled, according to Bob Griffin of Redevelopment Authority of Washington County, which manages and operates the airport in South Franklin Township.
Griffin said the runway was closed for about 90 minutes to clear debris.
He said Le Garrec, who was alone, mistakenly thought he had put down the landing gear of his plane, which is stationed at Allegheny County Airport.
Bill McGowen, the redevelopment authority’s executive director, said a crane was used to raise the plane to allow the gear to be put down.
County maintenance and Skyward Aviation FBO personnel responded, along with fire departments from South Franklin and Morris townships, and North Franklin Township police.