Photo via @DaveFB85 on Twitter of EMS on tarmac

Media release via Loomex Communications & Consulting...

At approximately 2:30 p.m. today the Peterborough Airport staff became aware of an aircraft in distress and the Airport emergency plan was activated. The pilot of the Searey Amphibious plane radioed the airport to ask for assistance with a landing gear malfunction as only one of his front wheels were down.

Peterborough Fire Service and Peterborough EMS were on-site within approximately 10 minutes.

Airport staff were in constant contact with the pilot as he circled the airport for approximately an hour to burn fuel. A flight trainer and the airplane’s manufacturer were contacted to assist the pilot. An emergency landing plan was developed, based on the protocols in the airport emergency plan, and was communicated to the pilot.

At approximately 3:55 p.m. the pilot was able to successfully land the aircraft in the grass adjacent to the runway. There was minimal damage to the aircraft and the pilot sustained no injuries.

The Peterborough Airport’s Emergency Plan is updated and tested on an annual basis to ensure that staff are prepared for incidents such as this. This incident was handled with care and professionalism with the safety of the pilot as the primary concern.

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