NYSP responds to small aircraft flipped at Cortland County Airport

On September 14, 2023, at approximately 3:06 p.m., New York State Police at Homer responded to a report of an aircraft upside-down on a runway at the Cortland County Airport.

Cortlandville Fire, the Cortland Fire Hazmat Team and TLC Ambulance also responded to the scene.     

The pilot and only occupant of the single-engine Cessna 305A “Bird Dog” self-extricated from the plane prior to the arrival of first responders.   He is identified as Bradley S. Fitchett, age 58 of Ellsworth, KS and was transported by TLC Ambulance to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center for what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries. 

The plane was traveling from Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport and was landing at the Cortland County Airport to refuel before its final destination in Kansas when the Cessna flipped. Approximately 5-gallons of fuel spilled as a result of the incident. 

The Federal Aviation Administration was contacted and is investigating.