Pilot Made Emergency Landing in WaWa Parking Lot
- 11 years ago
A 1968 single-engine, fixed-wing Piper aircraft was destined for Charlottesville from Tampa, Florida. However, the plane was diverted because it was low on fuel and fog was proving to be a problem.
When pilots are forced to make an emergency landing, any flat, open space can suffice.
Recently a 1968 single-engine, fixed-wing Piper aircraft was destined for Charlottesville from Tampa, Florida, however the plane changed course because it was low on fuel and fog was proving to be a problem.
The pilot, 33-year-old Jerome M. Orlando attempted to land at two different airports but the fog wouldn’t allow him to do so. The pilot then made the decision to land in a WaWa parking lot located in Virginia.
The aircraft struck a curb during the landing, encountering some minor damage as did a nearby mailbox and parking sign, however no one on ground level nor the pilot was injured.
State police are currently investigating the incident and the FAA has been notified. The WaWa establishment is located approximately a quarter mile away from Shannon Airport, but the aircraft completely ran out of fuel, which is what caused the quick, emergency landing.
According to reports, Orlando told employees at the store that he absent-mindedly forgot to refuel the plane before the takeoff in Tampa.
When pilots are forced to make an emergency landing, any flat, open space can suffice.
Recently a 1968 single-engine, fixed-wing Piper aircraft was destined for Charlottesville from Tampa, Florida, however the plane changed course because it was low on fuel and fog was proving to be a problem.
The pilot, 33-year-old Jerome M. Orlando attempted to land at two different airports but the fog wouldn’t allow him to do so. The pilot then made the decision to land in a WaWa parking lot located in Virginia.
The aircraft struck a curb during the landing, encountering some minor damage as did a nearby mailbox and parking sign, however no one on ground level nor the pilot was injured.
State police are currently investigating the incident and the FAA has been notified. The WaWa establishment is located approximately a quarter mile away from Shannon Airport, but the aircraft completely ran out of fuel, which is what caused the quick, emergency landing.
According to reports, Orlando told employees at the store that he absent-mindedly forgot to refuel the plane before the takeoff in Tampa.