Pilot makes emergency landing without injuries

Shortly before 3:00 yesterday afternoon, Historic City News freelance photographer Christopher Kimball reported to the local St. Augustine news desk that he was on the scene of an emergency private aircraft landing on U.S. 1 North.

71 year-old Redding, Pennsylvania pilot Tom Shappell found himself gliding without power at 6,000 feet after the engine of his airplane quit — 2.5 miles north of the St. Augustine and St. Johns County Airport.

Reportedly missing a bucket truck and a car, Shappell was able to keep control of his 1967 Cessna and complete an emergency landing in the southbound lane of US 1.

We spoke with Col. Art F. May who had been on the scene moments earlier and he commented that neither the pilot nor any motorist was injured, although the plane suffered considerable damage and “the pilot was understandably shaken”.

Everything appeared fine until it seems that the rear wheel of the aircraft caught; twisting the plane off course and into the roadside trees and underbrush.

Historic City News was first notified by SJSO Sergeant Chuck Mulligan who said, “All in all he did a fantastic job of getting it down and avoiding vehicles. It’s a good landing if you can walk away from it.”

It was ironic that Shappell was going to make a planned stop at the airport to refuel, since he only missed the runway by a very short distance. Shappell’s final destination was Key Largo; where he takes an annual fishing trip.

Florida Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer Phil Delgado is investigating the accident. After clearance was received from the National Transportation Safety Board, Joey’s Towing was allowed to load the airplane onto his wrecker and to a repair shop on the airport property.

Photo credit: © 2010 Historic City News freelance photographer Christopher Kimball