No injuries were reported after a medevac was forced to make a gears-up “belly” landing at the High Level Airport on Wednesday, Jan. 27 (Photo: Town of High Level)

By Shaun Penner

Emergency Landing

No injuries reported as medevac plane makes “belly” landing at High Level Airport

Jan 28, 2021 | 1:01 PM

No injuries have been reported after a small medevac plane was forced to make a “belly” landing at the airport in High Level on Wednesday evening after it had an issue lowering one of its landing gears.

Officials from the Town of High Level say airport crews were alerted about an incoming Canwest Air Beechcraft B200 with a landing gear issue at about 5:10 p.m. on January 27. The plane was carrying four passengers – two pilots and two medical staff.

High Level Airport Manager Luke Colatorti says the plane had departed Grande Prairie Wednesday and was destined for Fort Vermilion. The tower in High Level was then alerted of the landing gear issue.

Town officials say several low passes over the runway were made by the plane to try and allow crews to identify the issue. As that was unsuccessful, the decision to land the plane with all gears up was made.

Colatorti said emergency crews were ready and waiting onsite, and that constant communication between the pilot, NAV Canada Tower, and emergency crews were a key part of the ultimately safe landing.

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“They came in and did their belly landing, and emergency crews were ready,” said Colartorti. “It was probably the best outcome possible for this kind of event.

“Nobody was hurt, no fuel was spilled, and no fire occurred.”

Director of Protective Services and High Level Fire Chief Rodney Schmidt echoes that sentiment and praises the work of the pilots in the landing.

“They did a really good job in terms of giving everyone some advanced warning,” he said. “The pilot did an amazing job putting the plane on the runway, and as a result, it was a very straightforward incident.”

Colatorti says the Transportation Safety Board, Transport Canada, NAV Canada, CanWest, the RCMP and the Airport Authority were all in communication throughout the incident.

“Based on all the information provided, they don’t have any major concern at this point in time.”