Red River Landing

[B52gator]

I don't like to call dudes out, but one of our regular Base Ops contributors made a nice save the other day. Well done buddy, glad you're safe! Maybe we can get him to chime in and give us the lowdown!

https://www.ksla.com/story/27624967/small-plane-crashes-in-red-river-in-shreveport

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) -

Over a dozen emergency personnel responded to the scene of a plane crash.

Shreveport police tell KSLA News 12 that a small single engine plane reported a mechanical failure just after 1:00 Sunday afternoon. Authorities say the plane made an emergency landing into the Red River about a half a mile north of Shreveport's Downtown Airport.

Mark Crawford with the Shreveport Airport Authority says the pilot was having landing gear issues and requested a visual check of the landing gear position by tower personnel. Shortly after passing over the runway, the pilot reported engine trouble, lost altitude and landed the small plane in the Red River.

The pilot was not injured in the landing and authorities say he was standing on one of the wings of the plane waiting to be rescued when they arrived. His name has not been released at this time.

Zach Golden got a bird's eye view of this emergency landing just moments after the distressed pilot touched down on the Red River.

"We overheard on the air traffic frequency that there was a pilot in distress,” said Golden.

Golden is a student pilot, he says just minutes after takeoff his instructor took over.

"We flew around to try to figure out where he went down," said Golden.

Authorities say that communication played a key role in the outcome of the situation.

"Everyone in aviation just kind of watches out for each other and that is what draws so many people to it," said Golden.

Golden says he won't soon forget this eye opening experience.

"You hear and you're taught all the worst case scenarios, and how to react to try to best prepare you for an emergency like this, it's something that won't leave my memory,” said Golden.

Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Sheriff's Office Marine Unit and Caddo Fire District 1 responded to the scene to assist the Airport Authority Police Officer who was already on the scene. The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified.

Crawford says the Shreveport Downtown Airport has resumed normal operations and is open.

[guineapigfury]

Always glad when someone comes out the other side unharmed. Well done.

[sky_king]

Sully Sullenberger the Second?

[10percenttruth]

That ought to rehack Egress, Water Survival, and the EPE requirement for the year...

[Combat Platypus]

4k+ hours in singles always thinking about it. 2EP's is worse than the sim.

[xcraftllc]

I bet he's having an interesting conversation with the mechanic right now!

[Termy]

Knowing he is ok, can we lament the fate of that gorgeous Bonanza? Great airplanes.

[matmacwc]

In other news the first Bonanaza crashed without a doctor on board.

[10percenttruth]

In other news the first Bonanaza crashed without a doctor on board.

That's probably why he walked away

[C-21.Pilot]

Wonder if he found any desert jellyfish in the water?