A small aircraft made an emergency landing on 56th Street in Temple Terrace on Sunday night, but there were no injuries or property damage.
At around 8:20 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a report of an airplane in the intersection of 56th Street and 127th Avenue. Upon arrival, police spotted a Cessna T210 single-engine aircraft and met with the pilot, Lefferts Mabie III.
Mabie told police he left Pensacola International Airport earlier in the day and was traveling to Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa when his plane began to experience electrical surges over the Gulf of Mexico.
Realizing something was wrong with the aircraft, Mabie tried to divert his path toward Tampa Executive Airport (formerly Vandenberg) in Tampa. However, the plane’s engine shut off, he said, and he was unable to continue. Police contacted Tampa International Airport and the Federal Aviation Authority.
Mabie was able to make an emergency landing safely on southbound 56th Street. FAA safety inspector Bob Blake later arrived at the scene to investigate the incident. The plane has been moved temporarily to AMF University Lanes on 56th Street until arrangements can be made today to transport it.
Mabie received permission from the bowling alley to leave it there overnight.
