Joseph Paul

jpaul@jconline.com

MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — A Purdue University student pilot was not injured Sunday after a routine landing went wrong.

The pilot touched down at Muskegon County Airport in Michigan when strong crosswinds forced the nose of the plane to the ground, according to Muskegon County Undersheriff Dan Stout.

The front wheel hit the ground during the landing and caused the landing gear to break, Stout said. The pilot said she was traveling 80 mph and skidded to a stop on the nose of the plane.

Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a factor in the incident, which occurred at 2:19 p.m.

Brian Zink, a spokesperson for Purdue, confirmed the pilot was a student at the West Lafayette campus. She was reportedly on a training a flight in a Cirrus SR20, which is used in primary flight courses.

Call J&C reporter Joseph Paul at 765-420-5339, email him at jpaul@jconline.com or follow him on Twitter:@JosephPaulJC.