Plane makes emergency landing at Airport

MINDEN -- A twin-engine Cessna Beechcraft had to make an emergency landing at the Minden Tahoe Airport Monday night when its landing gear didn't activate.

Pilot Bob Aldrequ of Gardnerville discovered the malfunction in his landing gear at about 6:45 p.m. He was the only occupant of the plane.

"He had about two hours' worth of fuel left at that time," said Jim Braswell, airport manager. "He was able to burn off enough to land safely."

The Genoa and Jacks Valley fire departments, along with officers from the East Fork Fire and Paramedics Districts and Douglas County Sheriff's Office, responded to the airport off of Stephanie Way in northern Douglas County.

The plane made at least five passes over the airport, each time cranking the landing gear down a little further, according to Sgt. Tom Mezzetta of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

The landing gear appeared to be locked into a functional position, but Aldrequ's indicator light turned on and off several times.

Chuck Dickerson of Air Sierra Unlimited was familiar with the craft and was able to talk Aldrequ through the problem, according to Braswell.

Aldrequ landed without incident at about 7:50 p.m.

"That's absolutely the way we like to have it," Braswell said. "I don't want any more of those happening here. The pilot was very experienced and knew what he was doing."