A DC3 experienced engine trouble after departing Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on Wednesday morning, prompting an emergency landing at Merrill Field Airport near downtown, an official from the National Transportation Safety Board said.
The TransNorthern Aviation Douglas DC-3 landed with wheels up on runway seven around 10:40 a.m., said Clint Johnson, president of the NTSB’s Alaska office.
The preliminary investigation points to a loss of power in one of the plane′s two engines, he said.
TransNorthern Avn Douglas C-117 / DC-3 (N28TN, built 1943) made a belly landing at Anchorage Merrill Field (PAMR), AK after engine problems. Both pilots escaped unhurt. Acft came from Anchorage Intl on a flight to Kodiak. @AKNewsNow https://t.co/RiAuP24opR pic.twitter.com/WUcp4Xx1u7
— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) December 9, 2021
Johnson said he believes two people were in the plane, but no injuries were reported. It was not immediately clear if the plane was damaged or to what extent. The plane had been headed to Kodiak, Johnson said.
The runway had reopened to traffic as of about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Mayor Dave Bronson’s office said in a statement.
The aircraft involved was built in 1943.