July 14, 2011 (El Cajon)--An experimental single-engine plane had to make an emergency landing at Gillespie Field airport this morning after the pilot noticed he had a fuel leak and his pilot began to fill with smoke. He made a hard landing on the runway, bringing the plane in nose down as it came to a stop.
The plane suffered damaged to the nose and engine. Fortunately, the pilot was able to quickly exit the plane uninjured. He was the only person onboard.
Heartland Fire and Rescue in El Cajon arrived quickly and extinguished a small fire in the engine compartment.
According to Airport Manager Roger Griffiths, the FAA will be investigating the cause of the engine fire. Runway 27R was closed briefly to allow time to tow the plane off the runway and clean-up.
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