This morning, a small aircraft experienced landing gear problems while landing at Whiteman Airport.
Based on initial reports, the pilot safely landed on the runway, but the landing gear did not deploy properly. The aircraft then continued beyond the runway area, passed through a perimeter fence, and came to rest in a parking lot on airport property.
The pilot was injured but was able to walk away from the aircraft. Thankfully, no one else was injured. Most importantly, the incident remained entirely on airport grounds and posed no danger to surrounding neighborhoods or nearby residents.
We are grateful for the quick response from airport personnel and first responders, whose professionalism helped ensure the situation was handled safely. We also wish the pilot a full and speedy recovery.
As always, the appropriate authorities will investigate the incident and determine exactly what occurred.
Today’s events highlight the importance of continuing to invest in safety at Whiteman Airport. We support the County’s recommendation to pursue federal funding for improvements such as pilot education, airfield safety enhancements, and community engagement. These are the kinds of investments that help strengthen safety for everyone who relies on the airport and lives nearby.
