A 1966 Cessna plane crash-landed at an Eastern Shore airport Monday afternoon when its landing gear failed to deploy as the aircraft approached the runway.

Virginia State Police were dispatched to a reported plane crash around 4:25 p.m. at the Accomack County Airport in Melfa.

A state police spokesperson said the Cessna T-210 crashed on the runway after the landing gear failed to deploy due to a mechanical issue.

“As the plane touched down on its hull, it caused a propeller to strike and skid to a stop,” Sgt. Michelle Anaya said.

The pilot, 45-year-old Harry Leisner, was only person on board and was uninjured in the crash. Leisner, a Pennsylvania resident, had left Chesapeake Bay’s Tangier Island just before 4 p.m. for a 10-minute flight to Melfa. He was unaware of the failed deployment as the plane touched down.

Anaya said there was only minor damage to the plane as a result of the propeller striking the ground.

Caitlyn Burchett, 727-267-6059, [email protected]

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