This from Dave Weaver:
5/24/17 SUGAR GROVE, IL – 2-wheeled Piper Saratoga emergency landing at the Aurora Airport – Video by Dave Weaver
Excerpts from WSPYnews.com:
A pilot flying over Sugar Grove made an emergency, two-wheeled landing at the Aurora Airport this week after the left main landing gear on the plane failed to extend.
Lumanair Aviation Services Pilot Scott Luman told WSPY that it was a first for him making an emergency landing. He was flying his Piper Saratoga over the airport around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday when the left main landing gear did not extend.
Video provided shows him land the plane smoothly, eventually coming to a stop with the plane’s left wing touching the ground.
According to radio traffic, Luman circled the airport until emergency crews were able to arrive at the airport as a precaution.
#1 by mike mc on June 1, 2017 - 10:31 AM
This reminds me of some pearls of wisdom a highly respected company officer, who retired as a captain at Midway, and was a civil aviation pilot himself, told me 40 some years ago now. 1. Place the crash truck where it will be needed. For example, if coming in with no brakes, place it at the end of the runway. 2. Once you realize the plane will roll past you, gun it down the tarmac with everything you’ve got. 3. Have forcible entry tools handy because while the engineer is working the monitor, any extrication needed will be solely up to you. 4. The chief is there for the 31st Battalion, not the airport, so take charge. 5. You may not get many runs but you can have a year’s worth of action in one incident. 6. Barring catastrophic mechanical failure, it all comes down to the skill of the pilot. This was before ARFF became sophisticated (at least a Midway). Curious if they still have any value today.