Assemblyman flying small plane makes emergency landing

New York State Assemblyman Clyde Vanel landed the plane on a Long Island beach.

March 18, 2023, 3:08 PM

A New York state assemblyman landed a small plane on a Long Island beach after the aircraft experienced engine failure.

Assemblyman Clyde Vanel said he landed the airplane at the nearest safe location while he was out practicing maneuvers in his airplane.

A video shows the plane making the emergency landing on Long Island’s Shoreham Beach.

An aircraft plane piloted by a Queens assemblyman made an emergency landing along Long Island’s Shoreham Beach after experiencing an engine malfunction.
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Small plane makes emergency landing on New York beach

An aircraft plane piloted by a Queens assemblyman made an emergency landing along Long Island’s Shoreham Beach after experiencing an engine malfunction.
ABCNews.com

"As per my training, I landed the airplane at the nearest safe location, while attempting to minimize damage to persons or property. I am thankful that I was able to walk away without injury," Vanel said in a post on Twitter.

A single-engine plane piloted by N.Y. Assemblyman Clyde Vanel made an emergency landing on the beach in Shoreham, New York, due to a reported engine issue, on March 17, 2023.
Caelyn Canace via Storyful

"The FAA's training on emergency procedures works. For all my fellow pilots, follow the emergency procedures - it will save your life," he added.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that a single-engine Beechcraft V35 made an emergency landing on the beach in Shoreham, New York, due to a reported engine issue around 2:15 p.m. on Friday. Two people were on board the flight. 

The FAA said it is investigating the incident.