A small plane with two people on board landed safely at Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York after it lost a door mid-flight, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The incident involving a single-engine Diamond DA40 took place around 5:30 p.m. Monday, said the FAA, adding that the pilot “reported losing the left rear passenger door.”
Cheektowaga Police, in a statement, said authorities received a call for assistance from the airport around 6:00 p.m.
“A small plane carrying two people reported losing a door to the plane while flying over the area of Stiglmeier Park in Cheektowaga,” said the police in a statement.
A spokesperson for Buffalo International Airport told USA TODAY that the plane, operated privately, had taken off from the airport and was 10 minutes into the flight when the door blew off, prompting them to immediately turn back.
Missing door
While the plane was reported to have landed safely, the door of the plane continues to be missing Tuesday morning, said the police.