ORANGE — There were no injuries after a landing gear issue forced a pilot to conduct an emergency landing at Orange Municipal Airport over the weekend.

The pilot had taken off from the Orange airport and had to skid to a stop while executing what is called a “belly landing” on the infield grass on Sunday morning, according to Airport Manager Len Bedaw.

“Basically, it was like a big toboggan,” he said. Referencing the pilot, Bedaw added, “He did fantastic.”

The Orange Fire Department posted to its Facebook page that it dispatched a fire truck and ambulance to the airport after learning of the impending emergency landing. The Orange Police Department also responded. The Facebook post commended the pilot for an excellent landing that resulted no injuries, no fuel leaks and minimal damage to the aircraft.

Bedaw said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was on scene Monday morning to investigate the issue with the plane. Bedaw, who has worked at the airport for 32 years, said emergency landings are extremely rare there.

“It happens from time to time in the world, but it’s generally some sort of mechanical issue that causes it,” he said.

Bedaw also mentioned the plane is an amphibious aircraft, meaning it can take off and land on solid ground or water. He noted, however, that the landing gear is meant to stay retracted for a water landing but extend down for a landing on the ground.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.