JOHNSTOWN —
A well-known area businessman is lucky to be alive today after his twin-engine plane crash-landed at Johns-town’s airport after striking trees near Bedford County Airport.
The Cessna aircraft operated by Mark Thomas of Thomas Dealerships and a copilot clipped the trees shortly after takeoff from Bedford, heavily damaging the small aircraft, Johnstown airport Manager Scott Voelker said.
“It is amazing they made it through,” Voelker said. “The nose of the aircraft was damaged, both wings were damaged and the tail.”
Limited emergency response at Bedford County Airport makes John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport the emergency landing site for planes in trouble above much of the region, Voelker said.
Thomas nursed his crippled plane to Johnstown, leaking fuel, only to find the front wheel would not extend, Voelker said.
“The pilot did a phenomenal job in getting the plane to Johnstown,” Voelker said. “The plane did a nose-down landing and came to a sliding halt on the runway.”
In the meantime, emergency responders were alerted at the airport and from nearby Richland Township Fire Department.
“All of the emergency equipment was in place and ready,” Voelker said. “Fire trucks were there to greet them.”
Emergency workers evacuated the plane and treated the crash scene to prevent fire.
“The fuel tanks were punctured,” Voelker said. “They were very lucky.”
Thomas owns the damaged plane.
The coordinated effort by Richland firefighters and airport employees trained in emergency response illustrated why Johnstown is the designated emergency field, Voelker said.
“Richland Fire Department and my guys did an outstanding job,” Voelker said. “They knew we had the emergency people in place. (Pilots’) plan, when something goes wrong, is to fly through to Johnstown.”
Richland firefighters working in the East Hills Training Association’s new municipal vehicle maintenance facility at the airport also responded to the crash-landing scene.
Local News
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Emergency crews respond Thursday after a plane crash-landed at Johnstown’s airport in Richland Township. Todd Berkey
Discussion
Bedford businessman makes emergency landing
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