A King Air aircraft made an emergency landing Tuesday morning at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport after experiencing problems with its landing gear, according to the Amarillo Fire Department.
Officials said the incident occurred around 10:50 a.m., when reports first came in of a plane having mechanical issues with its landing gear. The aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air, flew past the airport tower so controllers could visually inspect the gear, which appeared to be down at the time.
After the flyover, the pilot attempted to land on Runway 22. During touchdown, the aircraft’s landing gear collapsed, causing the plane to skid along the runway. The Amarillo Fire Department confirmed the airport briefly went into an “Alert 3” status — the highest level of emergency alert — indicating a confirmed aircraft crash or major accident.
Despite the dramatic landing, officials said both people on board the aircraft escaped without injury. Fire crews, airport police, and emergency medical teams responded immediately, securing the scene and checking for fuel leaks or fire hazards.
The plane sustained visible damage but did not catch fire. Airport operations were temporarily halted as crews cleared the runway and inspected the surface for debris. Flights were expected to resume once the area was deemed safe.
As of Tuesday afternoon, authorities had not released information about the aircraft’s origin, destination, or the identities of those on board. The Amarillo Fire Department stated that further details will be provided as the investigation continues.
