A pilot escaped without injury after landing a small plane in a field in Gatineau, Quebec, on Wednesday. The incident occurred in the afternoon, prompting a response from local emergency services.
According to Gatineau police, the aircraft made an emergency landing in an open field near the intersection of Boulevard de la Gappe and Rue de la Savane. The pilot, the sole occupant of the plane, was unharmed and declined medical attention.
The cause of the emergency landing is under investigation. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been notified and will assess the incident. The aircraft sustained minor damage but remained intact.
Local residents reported hearing the plane's engine sputtering before it descended. Witnesses described the landing as controlled despite the circumstances. Authorities cordoned off the area briefly to secure the scene and ensure no hazards remained.
This incident adds to a series of small plane emergency landings in the region this year. In a separate event, a plane made an emergency landing near Saskatoon after running out of fuel, and another landed in a field in Fergus, Ontario. None resulted in serious injuries.
Gatineau police remind pilots to conduct thorough pre-flight checks and report any mechanical issues promptly. The investigation is ongoing.
