Plane makes emergency landing in Wheeling after hitting deer

The pilot of a twin-engine Piper managed to make a tricky but safe emergency landing in Wheeling after his plane hit a deer on take-off and damaged the landing gear on the left side.

The plane returned to the Chicago Executive Airport and made a "soft landing" on the remaining landing gear and the left wing around 6 p.m. Sunday, Wheeling Fire Battalion Chief Dave Palmeri.

The plane did not sustain major damage or fuel leaks during the landing, he said. "Other than not having the landing gear on its left side, the plane appeared to be intact," Palmeri said.

None of the six people aboard the plane were injured. They were examined by paramedics and released.

The plane had departed from Fremont, Mich. earlier Sunday and possibly made a stop in Grayslake before continuing to Wheeling, FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said.

Fire officials from Wheeling and Prospect Heights were on hand after the pilot reported problems with the left-side landing gear when it struck a deer during take off, Palmeri said.

Emergency vehicles at the airport followed the plane as it landed, Palmeri said. 

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

Willam Lee

Chicago Tribune