The Nation - News from Nov. 27, 1987

Disputing a witness’ account, investigators said that the landing gear appears to have been down on a commuter plane that crashed short of a runway in Homer, Alaska, killing 18 people and injuring three. The Ryan Air twin-engine turboprop smashed through an airport fence and belly-flopped onto snow-covered ground as it tried to land last Monday. Jon Kleine, who was driving near the airport, had said the plane tilted severely during its approach and did not have its landing gear extended. But federal investigators said the wreckage indicated the landing gear was in the proper position.