UPDATE: Small Aircraft Makes Hard Landing At East Hampton Airport, Runway Reopened

Mr. Charlton said he reopened the runway at 8:59 p.m. on Wednesday night after the airplane was taken back to its hanger. He said FAA officials allowed him to make the decision to reopen the airport’s only operating runway.

When he heard the news of the crash on Wednesday, Mr. Charlton said he acted quickly.

This is my first plane crash since I took over, and I was literally in Oakdale, in class, as it happened," he said. "I had to make sure no one was hurt. That was my main concern."

Mr. Charlton attends the Dowling School of Aviation for aviation management and had to drive from Oakdale to report to the scene.

The FAA is still investigating the accident.

A Beechcraft Baron BE 58, a twin engine piston aircraft, made a hard landing at East Hampton Airport at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Jemille Charlton, the airport manager.

There were no injuries reported but the plane was damaged. Mr. Charlton said he doesn't know to what extent the plane was damaged.

East Hampton Town Police said the pilot is David Bulgin of Sag Harbor.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the aircraft's left main gear collapsed after it landed on Runway 10-28.

The FAA will investigate the scene Thursday morning, as is standard procedure for hard landings. Mr. Charlton said that if there had been injuries, the FAA would have come out immediately and would have cordoned off the area.

Mr. Charlton said the runway seemed to be in fine condition, but the FAA has to do its investigation and give East Hampton Airport permission to open up once again.

The plane was towed to a hanger on Wednesday night by Keith Grimes Inc. of East Hampton.

The FAA could not comment further on Wednesday.

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