WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A pilot and passenger are OK after a rough landing at Oakland County International Airport on Monday.
The twin-prop plane touched down hard around 3:30 p.m. after circling the airport for about 2 1/2 hours. The plane's front landing gear malfunctioned, forcing the pilot to abandon an earlier landing attempt.
An official at the airport said the plane could not get the front landing gear locked down.
Live video (watch a replay above) of the landing showed the plane collapse on its nose after landing on the runway. The pilot quickly exited the plane as rescue personnel arrived. The plane is clearly damaged, but did not catch on fire.
Rescue personnel had been on standby since at least 1:10 p.m. The pilot and passenger hugged on the runway after exiting the plane.
Records say the plane is owned by Ilya Khakham of West Bloomfield. The Jewish News featured Khakham in 2015.
Oakland County International Airport is located at 6500 Highland Road in Waterford Township.
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