Airplane Crashes in Hollywood

4/10/2006

At 6:56 p.m. April 6, TFC S. VanBennekum of the Leonardtown trooper barrack responded to a reported civilian airplane crash at St. Mary’s Airport on Airport Road in Hollywood.

Investigation determined that Carlos Alberto Velazquez, 39, of Lexington Park, was attempting to land his plane on eastbound Runway 11.

During approach, Velázquez neglected to lower the landing gear on the aircraft, which was a single engine Mooney.

Upon touchdown, the aircraft skidded on its fuselage approximately 400 feet, coming to rest in the center grass median.

Velazquez was the only occupant and was uninjured.

The Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB were notified. Inspector McGray, Federal Aviation Administration, responded to conduct the inspection of the aircraft and runway.

The airport was closed for 1 ½ hours during the investigation.