Dysfunctional plane causes temporary runway closure

The runway at Tampa Executive Airport was temporarily closed Saturday after a single-engine Bonanza landed with its gear in the up position.

The pilot was the only passenger in the plane and was not injured, according to Tampa International Airport communications manager Danny Valentine.

Valentine said the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will investigate to determine probable cause.

The plane landed in front of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office hangar, according to sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon. Sheriff David Gee spoke with the pilot to make sure he was safe, but he was not involved in the investigation.

"It's kind of like when we find a disabled car on the side of the road and make sure everyone is okay then a tow truck comes along," McKinnon said.