Minor aircraft incident at Newport Airport
Newport city staff was notified by a pilot this morning about a twin-engine Cessna 310 that had landed at the Newport Municipal Airport and that it wound up in the grassy area off Runway 20. Runway 20 was closed at that time. Word has it that the aircraft was landed without its landing gear down. So it’s sitting in the grass, flat on its belly.
City staff contacted the registered owner of the aircraft, Les Lecasse of Newport, who came to the airfield and completed a police report. The Flight Inspection Services Division of the FAA is sending an inspector to assess the details of the accident. The inspector will perform that inspection later today, but until this inspection occurs, Runway 20 will remain closed. It is anticipated that the aircraft will be removed and Runway 20 reopened later this evening.
Questions should be directed to Lance Vanderbeck, Airport Operations Manager, at 541.867.7422.