Animal Fatally Injured, Airplane Damaged

A pilot landing on Runway 7 at Orlando Executive Airport (KORL) hit a large alligator that had strayed onto the runway earlier this month.

Television station WFTV reports that, according to a Tweet from local pilot Brad Pierce, who was not the pilot involved in the incident, the 11-foot alligator "jumped up and struck the wing" of the Piper Navajo as it was landing at night. "The gator was killed instantly, and the aircraft sustained damage to the wing."

The pilot, identified by the station as Rick Crose, would not comment while the incident was under investigation by the FAA. He was not injured.

Two lakes adjoin the airport. An airport spokesman said that gator was on the centerline of the runway when Crose touched down.

Pierce said he had never before seen a gator on a runway or taxiway at KORL. He said that the Greater Orlando Airport Authority "does a really nice job of ensuring there is a nice harmony and balance between nature ant man and the machines that are out there."

(Image from file. Not incident airplane)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov