Mechanical problem leads to belly landing at NY airport

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities say a mechanical issue caused a small plane to land hard on its belly at a Long Island airport.

Newsday reports (https://nwsdy.li/2nRsbm2 ) the pilot had been practicing landings and takeoffs at MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma (rahn-KAHN’-kuh-muh) on Tuesday night when air traffic controllers learned the twin-engine plane had a landing gear problem.

Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken says the gear collapsed during the landing and the plane slid onto the intersection of two runways.

The Federal Aviation Administration and town officials in Islip (EYE’-slihp) say the pilot wasn’t hurt. The airport was shut down for two hours.

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Information from: Newsday, https://www.newsday.com