Plane misses runway, flips; pilot escapes unharmed

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (WHDH) -- A plane missed the runway and flipped on its back in North Andover on Thursday. The pilot escaped unharmed.

Sky7 HD was over the underbelly of the small plane that flipped on its back around 6:30 Thursday evening. It was feet from the runway when pilot was trying to land. But when crews were called out, the cockpit was empty.

“We were concerned for the pilot, obviously,” said Michael Miller, Airport Manager.

The experienced pilot, a woman from Acton, is believed to have made her way out through a narrow window.

"The pilot actually walked away from the crash and informed the control tower that the accident did happen. So I was actually somewhat relieved when I found that out," Miller said.

Witnesses say the pilot walked hundreds of feet from the wreckage to the air traffic control tower and later declined medical treatment.

Miller was forced to shut down the airport.

“We closed the airport for safety purposes. There were too many emergency personnel vehicles on the airfield and wanted to make sure everyone was safe, including the pilots as well as the ground personnel,” Miller said.

Those familiar with runway 32 at Lawrence Municipal Airport don't know what would have caused the crash in perfect flying conditions.

“Anytime you’re flying in a private airplane you have to be careful of that. But like I said, there’s no wind tonight it’s really hard to speculate what could have happened,” said Kelly Bradbury.

The NTSB and FAA are hoping to get some answers too, and tow the wreckage away for a thorough investigation.

The airport’s manager told 7News the pilot’s plane is based at the Lawrence airport. She did speak with investigators after the crash.