Smoke in Cabin, Pilot OK After Emergency Landing at Chesterfield Airport

(For instant news updates follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter.)

The Monarch Fire Protection District responded to what was initially a call for a plane crash at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport Wednesday morning.

However, emergency responders say the pilot of the small plane was able to land safely, despite smoke in the cabin and not using the plane's landing gear.

Monarch released the following details of the incident in a news release.

Monarch Fire Protection District responded to an alert 3 (aircraft crash) at Spirit of St. Louis Airport at approximately 7:50 A.M. Wednesday, May 1, 2013. The pilot of a 1980 Centurian P210 safely landed the plane with the landing gear up. There were no injuries, and no fire, however there was smoke in the cabin upon touchdown.

The plane had 80 gallons of fuel on board, so every precaution was taken to assure there was no fire, and to prevent ignition. There was moderate damage to the belly of the plane and the propeller. After safely landing the plane, the pilot shut off all electric and fuel on the aircraft before exiting the cabin. Monarch crews checked the plane to make sure everything was safe. Monarch has no details as to why the landing gear was up upon landing.