The Right Main Landing Gear Came Off The Piper PA-28 She Was Flying

A 17-year-old student pilot making her first solo flight executed a successful emergency landing after the right main landing gear came off the Piper PA-28 airplane she was flying.

The wheel came off during Maggie Taraska's takeoff from Beverly Airport north of Boston Sunday afternoon. Tom Podolec Aviation posted a fairly detailed account of the incident as it unfolded on Twitter.

While Taraska was alone in the plane, she was not alone in her efforts to get the airplane safely on the ground. Air Traffic Controllers and her instructor talked her through the situation, which ended with a successful emergency landing.

“You’re doing a great job flying the airplane. We’re going to take our time. We got plenty of time. You’ve got plenty of fuel. We’ve got plenty of daylight. You always heard me say go back to basics. So we’re going to work the basics,” her instructor told her over the radio. Taraska reportedly sounded nervous ... understandably so ... on the radio.

The instructor and ATC had her circle the airport while emergency services got into position and to burn off fuel. The plane circled the airport for more than an hour, according to the report.

But as the instructor talked her through the traffic pattern and final approach, Taraska sounded calm and professional. And in moments, it was all over. "There are a lot of people up here clapping for you," the instructor said. "Just make sure you shut the mags off, shut the master off and get out of the aircraft and wait for them as clear as you can," he said.

Great job Maggie. We hope you'll continue to follow your dream to become a pilot.

(Image rom Tom Podolec Aviation Twitter)

FMI: Tom Podolec Twitter