The Associated Press

LANCSTER, Pa. — Authorities say a small plane landed safely in central Pennsylvania despite damage to its landing gear after it hit a deer during takeoff from a suburban Philadelphia airport.

LNP newspapers reports that the pilot was able to land the Beechcraft BE58 at Lancaster Airport at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday after a portion of the landing gear fell off when it hit the deer during takeoff from Wings Field in Blue Bell.

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Airport director David Eberly said "they knew they had a serious problem" after hitting the deer and decided to land the plane on its underside. Minor damage to the underside and propellers was reported.

The plane owned by Aero-Tech Services was taking three passengers to Pittsburgh for business. The four people aboard were uninjured. The deer was killed.