Pilot Makes Forced Landing at Airport
The pilot of a single-engine airplane, troubled by malfunctioning landing gear, made a forced landing at John Wayne Airport Monday, authorities said.
A special crash team was ready on the landing field with fire-fighting equipment and foam to minimize flames, but Anton Lukas, 53, of Newport Beach managed to land the Cessna 182 without sparks or injury to himself or a passenger, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Adams said.
Only the propeller was damaged in the landing shortly after 6 p.m. Monday, said Adams, an airport security supervisor.
“He brought it in beautifully,” Adams said. “He landed on the grass, so there was very little damage.”
Adams said he did not know the identity of Lukas’ passenger, who was described as a younger man.
Adams said the nose wheel of Lukas’ plane “malfunctioned” as the pilot was attempting to return to John Wayne Airport, where the four-seat craft is based.
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