Airplane Experienced Engine Problems But Pilot Landed It Safely

A pilot from Port Townsend, WA landed his Renegade Spirit biplane on a beach at Irondale Beach Park Saturday after the airplane experienced an engine problem, and the landing was captured on video by a visitor to the park.

The pilot, 67-year-old Peter Bruce of Port Townsend, was not injured in the off-airport landing. The incident occurred about 1230 local time on Friday, July 1, according to the Port Townsend Leader newspaper.

The witness, Mark Wellnitz of Portland, OR, recorded the video from his cabin on a bluff overlooking the beach. He said he saw the plane losing altitude and "nose diving" towards the beach before landing. Wellnitz said he spoke to Bruce after the landing, and the pilot indicated that an oil line on the plane's engine broke, forcing him to make an emergency landing.

FAA records indicate that the plane was built by Bruce from a kit obtained from Murphy Aircraft Mfg LTD.

Bruce was reportedly attempting to repair the engine later that afternoon, according to Wellnitz. It was not reported whether he was able to fly the plane off the beach, or how it might have been removed.

(Image from YouTube video posted by Mr. Wellnitz)

FMI: Video