Amphibious plane crashes during landing on Laurel Lake

Photo courtesy of WDKY Fox 56

A local pilot was uninjured Thursday but his plane suffered severe damaged when he attempted to land on Laurel Lake near the spillway.

According to Laurel County Emergency Management Director Albert Hale, the pilot and sole passenger on the SeaRey amphibious plane, LeRoy Moore of London, attempted the landing approximately 6:45 p.m.

“He initially said he was attempting to land on the water,” Hale said. “Then he told the U.S. Forest Service he had mechanical difficulty.”

Hale said Moore did not declare an emergency prior to the landing.

“It is illegal to land on any water maintained by the Forest Service or the Corps of Engineers,” Hale noted.

Hale said firefighters, emergency personnel and law enforcement were dispatched to the scene. However, before they arrived, Moore had swam to shore and the plane had been towed to a position near the Holly Bay boat ramp.

“The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is sending someone down tomorrow to speak with him (Moore),” Hale said.

Bald Rock Fire Department, Laurel County Rescue Squad, Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Laurel County Emergency Management and U.S. Forest Service Special Agent Bob O’Neill responded to the scene.