The Cyril E. King Airport was temporarily closed at 12:57 p.m. today to facilitate the recovery of a disabled aircraft on the airport’s runway.
A privately owned Piper Aztec, tail number N6485Y, landed at the airport at approximately 12:57 p.m. while conducting touch-and-go maneuvers. Following a safe landing, the aircraft experienced a flat tire, leaving it disabled on the airport’s only runway. The two people were on board the aircraft were unharmed.
The aircraft remained on the runway while recovery operations were conducted and successfully removed. Airport personnel then completed required safety inspections of the runway. The runway CEKA was reopened at 1:55 p.m. after inspections confirmed that it was safe for normal operations to resume.
The Virgin Islands Port Authority apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the temporary runway closure and reminds the public that safety is always the Authority’s top priority. VIPA also thanks all personnel and partner agencies who assisted in the safe and efficient removal of the aircraft.
