A small plane owned by a tour company was forced to make an emergency landing near Nauset Light Beach in Eastham on Cape Cod Sunday afternoon, according to officials.
A possible plane crash on Marconi Beach was reported to Wellfleet police and fire at around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday. Before police arrived, Chatham Municipal Airport reported the plane had safely landed on the beach and none of its occupants were hurt. The plane, a Cessna 172, was eventually discovered near Nauset Light Beach in Eastham, police said in a Facebook post.
Investigators determined the plane had three occupants — a pilot and two passengers. The pilot told police the plane had taken off from Chatham Municipal Airport around 3:15 p.m. But, 15 minutes later, the plane experienced a mechanical issue, forcing the pilot to land on the beach, police said.
The Cessna 172 is owned by Stick’N Rudder Aero Tours and operates out of Chatham Municipal Airport. The plane was not damaged in the emergency landing, according to the statement.
The two passengers were taking a tour at the time of the emergency landing, police said.
The National Park Service is working to move the plane above the high-water mark on the beach to minimize its contact with water. It will also oversee the removal of the plane from the beach.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the park service will investigate the cause of the emergency landing.
