Plane diverted to University Park Airport for emergency landing

Multiple fire companies and ambulance services were called to the University Park Airport on Friday afternoon after receiving a report of a possible fire on board a plane, but the plane landed without incident.

According to Lt. Michael Nelson, of Penn State police, the plane landed safely, and there were no injuries.

According to flightaware.com, United Airlines Flight 4958 — CommutAir operating as United Express — left Ithaca, New York, at about 2:50 p.m. and landed at University Park at about 3:40 p.m. It was diverted to University Park en route to Washington, D.C.

The pilot had a fire warning light that indicated in the tail section of the aircraft, and University Park Airport was the closest that the pilot could divert to, said James Meyer, executive director of the Centre County Airport Authority.

Emergency responders inspected the outside of the plane, and it “looked OK,” Meyer said. The plane was then escorted into the ramp where the passengers were unloaded.

It was “very calm,” he said.

There were 47 passengers and three crew members on board, Meyer said.

There was another plane headed to University Park Airport to pick up the passengers, he said.

No other flights were impacted by the incident.

This story was originally published December 28, 2018 at 4:44 PM.