There were thankfully no injuries after a small plane crash-landed at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) on the morning of June 21. The crash was apparently the result of a mechanical failure that caused the landing gear to collapse upon an attempted landing, requiring the pilot to abandon the plane on the runway. The exact reason for the malfunction is unknown, and will be under investigation by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

What Are the Known Facts Around the Crash?

A small airplane was arriving at the Tri-Cities Airport located in Blountville, TN, on Saturday, June 21 at around 11:30 AM local time. As it attempted to land at Runway 23, the landing gear apparently collapsed, forcing the pilot to perform a crash-landing. The pilot was able to escape the plane unaided, and was evaluated by EMTs on site, but fortunately was uninjured.

What is Known About the Flight?

The plane was a Beechcraft Bonanza Model V35, registration number N774S, which was originally manufactured in 1966. The sole person on board the plane was the pilot, who was not injured in the accident. While the plane crash landed on the runway, workers at the airport were able to clear the wreck within about two hours, causing some delays to other flights.

What Caused the Crash?

The primary cause of the crash has been blamed on the landing gear failing at the time of the attempted landing, which forced the pilot to crash-land the plane. However, the exact reason for this mechanical failure is not currently known. It is possible that the landing gear had some previously unknown defect, or it is possible that there was a maintenance failure that meant it was more worn down than it should have been.

What Happens Now?

The FAA and the NTSB will investigate the cause of the accident to determine who, if anyone, might be at fault for the crash. This will involve interviewing the pilot, as well as inspecting the wreckage to determine if there were any signs of improper maintenance or defective parts. A full report will likely be released in a few months, once the investigation has concluded.