A pilot is crediting two Orange County Sheriff's deputies for helping him walk away from a very scary landing.
Saturday he realized his landing gear wouldn't work and radioed his concern.
He was so worried he texted his family that he loved them and was preparing to make an emergency landing, the sheriff's office said.
Master Deputy/Pilot Snarr and Deputy Sams were in an Orange County Sheriff's Office Chase helicopter. The pair, along with air traffic controllers, worked with the pilot for more than an hour to help him make a safe landing, according to the sheriff's office.
The chopper pilot tried to diagnose the problem from the air and suggested maneuvers to help unstick the gear, but nothing worked.
Rescue crews were deployed at Orlando Executive Airport as a precaution.
The pilot, who was not identified, was able to touch down with minimal damage, the sheriff's office said.
His daughter later sent this message to the sheriff's office: "While we live out of state and cannot thank them personally, we wanted to make sure that their concern and compassion did not go unnoticed. My father had nothing but praise for the officers that helped him. Please know how much your kindness meant to our family. Thank you for going to my fathers (sic) aid and assisting with a safe landing and God bless each of you and keep you safe."
