I. M. Esperto
17th May 2002, 18:14
http://www.indystar.com/article.php?oops17.html
'Embarrassed' pilot mistakes racetrack for airport runway
By R. Joseph Gelarden
[email protected]
May 17, 2002
Oops.
A single-engine private plane landed at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Thursday afternoon after the pilot mistook the drag strip for the runway at Eagle Creek Airport.
"The pilot told the tower (at Indianapolis International Airport) he had the runway in sight," said Indiana State Police Sgt. Sam Maldonado.
"He believed he had it in sight, but he was not familiar with the area. He didn't know Eagle Creek Airport was located next to a big lake and a big dam."
The pilot was identified as Dan L. Legrant, 66, Edmond, Okla. He was accompanied by his wife, Patricia.
"He was very embarrassed," said Scott Smith, an IRP spokesman.
From the air, you can see both the airport and the IRP drag strip. They are about five miles apart.
About 50 to 60 dragsters were testing on the track to prepare for races this weekend, Smith said.
But about 3 p.m., safety officials closed the drag strip because of rain. About 15 minutes later, the plane landed.
The four-passenger plane swooped down the drag strip and stopped.
"He made a hell of a landing," Maldonado said.
After the pilot stopped, track safety workers turned the plane around and towed it off the racing surface.
Track officials gave Legrant permission to take off, but Federal Aviation Administration inspectors ordered the plane grounded because some paperwork was not in order.
"It is a technical matter, and he should be able to take off (this) afternoon," said Smith.
After Legrant talked to FAA inspectors, IRP officials gave the couple a ride to their hotel.
Maldonado said the pilot should be more grateful than embarrassed.
"If he landed when the dragsters were running, we could have had a disaster. God must have been looking out for him."
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Call R. Joseph Gelarden at *-***-***-****. :o
'Embarrassed' pilot mistakes racetrack for airport runway
By R. Joseph Gelarden
[email protected]
May 17, 2002
Oops.
A single-engine private plane landed at Indianapolis Raceway Park on Thursday afternoon after the pilot mistook the drag strip for the runway at Eagle Creek Airport.
"The pilot told the tower (at Indianapolis International Airport) he had the runway in sight," said Indiana State Police Sgt. Sam Maldonado.
"He believed he had it in sight, but he was not familiar with the area. He didn't know Eagle Creek Airport was located next to a big lake and a big dam."
The pilot was identified as Dan L. Legrant, 66, Edmond, Okla. He was accompanied by his wife, Patricia.
"He was very embarrassed," said Scott Smith, an IRP spokesman.
From the air, you can see both the airport and the IRP drag strip. They are about five miles apart.
About 50 to 60 dragsters were testing on the track to prepare for races this weekend, Smith said.
But about 3 p.m., safety officials closed the drag strip because of rain. About 15 minutes later, the plane landed.
The four-passenger plane swooped down the drag strip and stopped.
"He made a hell of a landing," Maldonado said.
After the pilot stopped, track safety workers turned the plane around and towed it off the racing surface.
Track officials gave Legrant permission to take off, but Federal Aviation Administration inspectors ordered the plane grounded because some paperwork was not in order.
"It is a technical matter, and he should be able to take off (this) afternoon," said Smith.
After Legrant talked to FAA inspectors, IRP officials gave the couple a ride to their hotel.
Maldonado said the pilot should be more grateful than embarrassed.
"If he landed when the dragsters were running, we could have had a disaster. God must have been looking out for him."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Call R. Joseph Gelarden at *-***-***-****. :o