Downtown St. Louis Airport Ready For Air Emergencies

CAHOKIA, IL. (KPLR) – Eight passengers on board a Learjet headed for Cahokia, Il made a safe, emergency landing on Monday, even though the plane had landing gear troubles.

The pilot radioed to the tower for help at approximately 12:30p.m.

“The aircraft made a flyby of the tower and we confirmed that the nose gear was down but it was displaced approximately 30 degrees to the left,” said Chief Mike Mavrogeorge, St. Louis Downtown Airport Fire Department.

Mavrogeorge says his department plans for these scenarios though rigorous training and put their emergency plans into place.

“We are concerned about the rescue of any aircraft occupants, suppression of any fire and rapid transport of any injuries,” explained Mavrogeorge.

Even though the airport was prepared for an emergency, the pilot circled the area for more than an hour burning off excess fuel to minimize the fire threat if there was a crash.

Then the pilot asked for permission to land at Lambert St. Louis International Airport.

“The pilot wanted a wider runway in the event that he would go off the runway,” said Marvrogeorge.  He gave the pilot credit for a safe landing under difficult circumstances.

The plane is registered to Aerometro LLC of Houston, Texas.  The FAA will investigate.

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Learjet Makes Emergency Landing At Lambert Airport

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