Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Nov 02/05) - A burnt-out light bulb was responsible for some tense moments at the Rankin Inlet airport this past Thursday, Oct. 27.

The pilot of a Kivalliq Air Pilatus PC-12 aircraft contacted the Rankin tower around 2 p.m. to report his cockpit instrumentation was not confirming the plane's landing gear had lowered and was locked in place.

The pilot conducted a fly-over before attempting his landing and was told by the tower that ground spotters could see the gear had lowered into place.

Rankin's emergency-vehicle-response crews were in place near the runway when the plane made a safe, uneventful landing.

There were two pilots and one passenger on-board. The plane was carrying about 850 pounds of fuel.

A large gathering of local residents showed up at the airport to watch the drama unfold, as word quickly spread throughout the community.