To begin, it should be noted that none of the dogs on board the Ameriflight Swearingen Metroliner that crashed outside of Milwaukee on Tuesday were actually flying the plane. Thankfully, all five humans and all 56 (!) dogs aboard the twin turboprop commuter plane emerged uninjured from the mishap. The NTSB is currently conducting an investigation.
Ameriflight Swearingen SA-227AT, carrying 3 people and 56 dogs, made an emergency landing on a golf course in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Only non-life-threatening injuries were reported. This information can be found at https://t.co/rlxVj58Ypo pic.twitter.com/6vxtOaTmuf. This is stated by Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) on November 15, 2022.
According to a story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the dogs, which were part of a rescue operation, were being flown from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Waukesha, Wisconsin. The report described how the plane landed with great force, losing its wings, uprooting a small tree, and coming to rest on the 5th hole fairway—fore! Fortunately, there was no one playing at the time due to the snowy weather. Golf course workers witnessed the crash but were able to stay out of harm’s way.
It is reported that the dogs survived the crash landing without major injuries. Even if there had been a slight sprain or a twisted tail, it would have been preferable to their likely fate in Louisiana, where they were on the brink of being euthanized before being rescued by the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha, a suburb of Milwaukee located about 20 miles to the west. The crash took place at the Western Lakes Golf Club, which is just to the west of Waukesha. The humane society responsible for the rescue of the dogs is located on the perimeter of the Waukesha airport. So far, there is no word on what caused the mishap. The plane was reported to be on the ILS to the east runway (Rwy 10) at Waukesha when it hit the ground a few miles short of the threshold.
The three non-canine occupants were taken to the hospital, where it was said they had only minor injuries.
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