Runway is closed and paramedics and fire crews were called; college president confirms student and instructor ‘are safe’ after making a hard landing at Sault Airport
A Sault College training plane made a hard landing on a runway at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport at around 4 p.m. on April 2, resulting in a response by emergency crews and the closing of a runway.
Paramedics and fire crews were called, according to a reader who contacted SooToday and provided a photo.
Two people were transported to hospital, confirmed David Orazietti, the president of Sault College.
The plane was identified as C-GERR, a single-engine Zlin. Two new Zlin aircraft, made in the Czech Republic, were purchased last year by the college.
“A student and instructor were conducting routine training exercises and made what appeared to be a hard landing on the runway,” Orazietti told SooToday in a phone interview.
“Most importantly, the student and instructor are safe. As part of required protocol, the college has contacted the Transportation Safety Board. They may choose to investigate depending on how they perceive the incident.
“Safety is our top priority in this program. We’re certainly relieved both the student and instructor are both safe.
“We’ll be fully investigating the circumstances to ensure that all of our safety and flight procedures are followed to determine what transpired in the event.Â
“[Accidents like this] are extremely rare. We’re averaging around 65,000 takeoffs and landings per year.”
In February, a Sault College second-year student was forced to abort a training flight and make an emergency landing on a service road at Montreal River.
— SooToday
This article was published by: Alex Flood
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