Crime & Safety
Cranford Pilot Makes Emergency Landing at Robert J. Miller Airpark
Piper cub slid on its belly after landing gear collapsed
A Cranford man was on his way home from Myrtle Beach, S.C. when he found that his 1979 Piper Cub plane was in distress, police said.
Donald Scorese made the decision to make an emergency landing at Robert J. Miller Airpark on Route 530 in Berkeley Township shortly after 4 p.m. Monday, Berkeley police Sgt. James Blair said.
No one was injured when the aircraft landed and slid on its belly after the landing gear collapsed, he said.
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Contrary to earlier reports, the landing gear was intact, but collapsed upon impact with the ground, according to Blair. Blair could not say what prompted the decision to make the emergency landing.
Scorese had declared an emergency shortly after 3:30 p.m. His original destination was Old Bridge.
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The aircraft was towed off the runway and the airport was re-opened, according to Blair. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was called in and took photographs of the plane.
The only damage was to the undercarriage of the plane, he said.
The Manitou Park Fire Company responded, assisted by the Pinewald Fire Company and a crash truck from Navy Lakehurst responded. No fires, leaks or injuries were reported.
