SHOREHAM, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — Queens Assemblyman Clyde Vanel made an emergency landing in a small, single-engine plane on a Long Island Beach Friday.
Vanel said the Beechcraft plane’s engine failed, and he was forced to bring the plane down at a small beach in Shoreham.
“This afternoon, I went out to practice maneuvers in my airplane. Unfortunately, the aircraft experienced engine failure,” wrote Vanel on Facebook. As per my training, I landed the airplane at the nearest safe location, while attempting to minimize damage to persons or property. I am thankful that I was able to walk away without injury. The FAA’s training on emergency procedures works. For all my fellow pilots, follow the emergency procedures — it will save your life.”
The assemblyman told CBS New York he took off from Brookhaven Airport in Shirley around 2 p.m.
"Of course I was panicked. I didn't understand what was going on with the engine," Vanel told the station. "The best place for me to land was a small area that had beach that wasn't around people, that wasn't around stuff."
Vanel graduated from aviation school and has spent years flying. He reportedly suffered a small cut under his chin, but was otherwise unharmed.
The aircraft was damaged, but no one else was hurt in the crash.
The FAA will investigate the incident.
Related
Related
Related
