A dual-propeller airplane crash-landed at East Hampton Town Airport just before 8 p.m. on 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 Beechcraft Baron G58.
A town press release said the landing gear was not engaged for the landing.
The police report said the aircraft was “In the middle of the runway with obvious damage to the propellers/under carriage area of the aircraft.” The officer spoke with Mr. Doupe, who “was located safely outside of the aircraft. Doupe was uninjured and stated that while approaching the runway he lowered his landing gear and due to lack of speed he lifted the landing gear back up.”
Mr. Doupe declined to 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 Sunday evening, 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 was swept clear, and the airport was open and operating normally by Monday morning.
