Jaffrey and Rindge police and fire responded to Lake Contoocook on Wednesday night for a report of a plane crash.
Police and fire originally received a report of a plane flying low over the lake around 4 p.m., according to Rindge Patrolman Mark Griffin in an interview Wednesday. Police and fire checked the area around the lake, but didn’t see the plane, and later learned it had landed safely at Silver Ranch Airpark in Jaffrey.
Airpark manager Harvey Sawyer said Wednesday the plane had not been in distress, and had the pilot of the Cessna had notified him before taking off that they planned to land briefly on the lake, which he said many pilots of small aircraft do for fun.
“It’s legal and safe, and just as normal as someone crossing the lake on a snowmobile,” Sawyer said. “We do it a lot.”
Sawyer said someone who saw the plane touch down briefly on the ice was concerned after it appeared to be descending after taking off again, but the plane was just landing at the airpark, which is in close proximity to the lake. There was no mechanical issues with the plane, he said.