Pilot, Passenger Uninjured When Fleet Finch Flipped

Two people aboard a Fleet Finch 16-B were uninjured when the airplane flipped over during an emergency landing at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook, NY on Saturday.

The Poughkeepsie Journal reports that the airplane suffered damage to its landing gear during takeoff, and it flipped over on the landing attempt. But Chris Bulko, the Aerodrome's airshow director, said that the two people, who were not identified, were uninjured in the accident. "There was some damage to the airplane," Bulko said.

The incident occurred at about 1245 local time, and was not part of the regular airshow at the airport, scheduled for 1400.

A witness said emergency gear was positioned on the runway before the pilot attempted the landing. Bill Steinmetz, who was visiting from South Bend, IN, said the airplane "dug in, turned pretty violently, and flipped over."

He said that when the pilot and passenger emerged from the airplane, the crowd cheered.

The airplane was removed from the runway, and the airshow went on as planned ... but started about 45 minutes late.

FMI: www.oldrhinebeck.org