FAA Investigates After Pilot Enacts Emergency Landing Of Plane In Parking Lot Of Fire Island Beach: Officials

FIRE ISLAND, NY — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after the pilot of a single-engine Zidco Edge 540 enacted an emergency landing — safely bringing the aircraft down in an empty parking lot — Wednesday at Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island after it experienced unknown mechanical issues, officials said.

State park police were called to Field 4 just after 9:30 a.m., and patrols have secured the scene, closing down Field 4, pending the plane’s removal, according to the state Office of Parks and Historic Preservation.

There was no damage to beach property and no one was hurt, officials said.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed their investigation will include contacting local authorities for information about the pilot.

A preliminary accident/incident report will likely be released Thursday, officials said.

It is a standard procedure for the FAA to investigate after an emergency landing.

The 62-year-old Melville pilot, who was the only one on board, performs annually in the Air Show at Jones Beach, and told News 12 that he departed Republic Airport in Farmingdale to practice for an airshow scheduled for the following day in Cape May, NJ.

Less than 10 minutes into the flight, the aircraft's propeller stopped while he was flying over Robert Moses, which forced him to make an emergency landing, the outlet reported.

He told the outlet that plane's "brand-new engine quit," adding, "I had to find a place to land and found a beautiful parking lot with no cars in it. That was the only safe spot."