A dual-propeller airplane crash-landed at East Hampton Town Airport just before 8 p.m. Sunday, closing the airport for several hours. The pilot, Curtis Doupe, was the only person in the plane and was not injured.
According to his website, curtisairtaxi.com, Mr. Doupe has been flying charter flights from the airport for 25 years and has been a flight instructor since 1998. The plane he was flying was a 2006 Beech Baron.
A town press release said the landing gear was not engaged for the landing. Mr. Doupe, on advice of counsel, would not comment on what caused the crash when reached via text on Monday morning. East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo confirmed that the crash caused no fire. An investigator from the Federal Aviation Administration was to visit the airport on Monday.
Town police and the East Hampton Fire Department responded, and by 10:40 p.m. the F.A.A. had authorized the removal of the aircraft from Runway 10-28. East End Excavating raised the aircraft and towed it to the Executive Terminal just after midnight, under the supervision of firefighters.
The runway has been swept clear, and the airport was open and operating normally on Monday.
