Pilot Unharmed After Crash Landing at Albany Airport Due to Landing Gear Failure
ALBANY, Georgia – A test flight at Southwest Georgia Regional Airport ended in a crash landing Monday when the landing gear of a Thrush-manufactured aircraft failed, forcing it to skid across the runway. The pilot on board walked away unharmed.
Emergency crews responded swiftly
The incident happened on August 18 while the aircraft was conducting a routine test run. Thrush Aircraft, LLC — a company based in Albany that produces agricultural aircraft — was operating the test when the landing gear sheared off, according to officials. This mechanical failure led to the aircraft crashing directly onto the main runway.
Emergency response teams from the Airport Police Department, Albany Police, Fire Department, and EMS were immediately dispatched to the scene. The city of Albany confirmed that the pilot, who was the only person aboard the aircraft, did not suffer any injuries.
Airport briefly shut down following the incident
The crash forced a temporary closure of the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport. No flights were allowed to land or take off until federal clearance was given to remove the damaged aircraft. That clearance must come from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which oversees crash-related investigations involving aircraft.
However, despite the runway obstruction, normal operations resumed more quickly than expected. WALB reported seeing Delta Flight DL4172 land at the airport around noon on the day of the incident, and afternoon flights DL3965 and DL3659 were also projected to remain on schedule.
Minimal disruption to commercial travel
Delta Airlines confirmed that its scheduled service between Albany and Atlanta remained mostly on time, minimizing disruption for travelers. This helped ease local concerns about extended airport closures, especially given Albany’s role as a key regional travel hub.
While the crash did not involve a commercial passenger aircraft, the closure highlighted the importance of safety protocols even during routine test runs. It remains unclear how long the damaged plane will remain on the runway, pending NTSB removal approval.
What’s next in the investigation
No further information has been released about the cause of the mechanical failure. It’s standard procedure for the NTSB to conduct a thorough investigation before clearing debris from the crash site. Officials have not indicated how long the probe might take.
The city is urging travelers to check with airlines for any schedule changes, though at this time, no major cancellations or delays are anticipated.
Stay updated with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com
For more updates on aviation safety, emergency responses, and regional news from Georgia and the Carolinas, stay connected with SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
