Incredible moment pilot walks away after plane 'snaps in half' during emergency landing

Shocking footage shows the incredible moment a pilot walks away from a plane after it appeared to snap in half during a dramatic emergency landing caused by landing gear failure. The video shows the twin-engine turboprop slamming onto the runway before the nose of the aircraft dips sharply and the fuselage appears to buckle on impact.

The aircraft then bounces before skidding several yards along the runway, eventually grinding to a halt as dust and smoke billow into the air. The incident happened at around 11am on Friday, June 19, during a test flight ahead of the Antidotum Airshow in Leszno, Poland, after the landing gear failed to deploy. Despite the heavy impact, the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco did not catch fire. The pilot sustained only minor injuries and was able to climb out of the aircraft unaided before being treated by paramedics, who later confirmed he was in good condition. The Antidotum Airshow went ahead as planned.

Damage to the runway at Aeroklub Leszczyński, however, reduced its usable length, meaning some aircraft were unable to perform.

The OV-10 Bronco was developed in the 1960s as a light attack aircraft for counter-insurgency operations and was also widely used for forward air control missions.

Around 360 of the aircraft were produced between 1965 and 1986, according to NeedToKnow.

A small number remain in service today, including with NASA and various civilian operators in the United States, while others are preserved in museums around the world.

The Provincial Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Poznań said in a statement on Friday: “Three fire service units operated at the scene.

“Firefighters secured the site and applied firefighting foam around the aircraft.

“This action was preventive and aimed at reducing the risk of fire in case of a possible fuel leak or spillage following the emergency landing.

“The situation is now under control and there is no danger to people present at the airfield.

“The circumstances of the incident will be investigated by the relevant authorities.”