Biplane makes emergency landing, takes off from Chappy beach

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Updated July 7

A local pilot is getting praise from his passengers, airport officials, and emergency responders after safely and remarkably landing a biplane on a thin strip of beach on Chappaquiddick Island on Sunday.

According to local and federal officials, Island pilot Michael Creato, with two passengers on board, was forced to make an emergency landing on Cape Poge around noon after the engine malfunctioned. After making adjustments, and with a crowd cheering, Creato successfully took off from the beach later that afternoon. 

First responders said there were no injuries during Sunday’s incident. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating, reporting that the Waco UPF-7, an open-cockpit biplane, made the emergency landing on Sunday.

With the FAA investigation ongoing, Creato has not been reached by The Times. Classic Aviators, which provides aerial tours of the Island from the Edgartown airfield, released a statement Sunday, noting that one of its pilots had an “eventful day.” Creato founded the company more than two decades ago.

“After an unforeseen engine issue, our pilot made the decision to land on a stretch of Cape Poge that he was familiar with, in order to prioritize the safety of both his passengers and himself,” the message stated. “The emergency landing was controlled and done with precision.”

The two passengers, in interviews with regional news outlets, said it was a terrifying moment, but they thanked Creato for his expertise. According to an interview with CBS News Boston, Sarah Sullivan of New Jersey and her 11-year-old cousin Poppy were the two passengers. Sullivan told the news agency that landing on the beach was actually surprisingly smooth. 

“He told us that we were going to have to crash-land on the beach, so he told us to just tighten our seatbelts and brace ourselves,” said Sullivan in an interview with CBS on Sunday. “Within minutes we were on the sand; he made a really safe landing, and we just glided right through … because the engine wasn’t working, we glided right through onto the sand.

“He was very calm and collected the entire time, which helped us stay more calm than I was feeling internally,” Sullivan added. “Right when we got down, he made sure we were OK, walking us through what was going to happen next.” 

Sullivan said that Creato told them he had never made such an emergency landing before, but they were lucky to be in his hands. “He had the safety training that that was a safe spot to land, and told us he’s never had to do it before, so we are very lucky,” Sullivan said. 

Local officials also credited pilot Creato with skill in his ability to land the plane safely. “I’ve known Mike to be an outstanding pilot almost my whole life, and no one knows that plane or flies that plane better than he does,” said Edgartown Police Chief Chris Dolby. Dolby said it was a huge relief to hear that there were no injuries and no damage as they were en route to the incident. “It was improbable, but once I knew Mike was the pilot, well then, I felt like if there’s anyone who can pull it off, it’s him,” added Dolby. 

Airport officials echoed Dolby’s statement. “That pilot is probably the most competent, best pilot that I know,” said Martha’s Vineyard Airport Director Geoff Freeman.

Landing on a beach is not completely unprecedented, even for the Island. Freeman recalled in years prior a plane that landed on State Beach, and another that landed at Dogfish Bar near Lobsterville Beach. Freeman said that it’s a basic principle to find a long stretch of land that is clear of people or buildings. Highways, he noted, can be another popular place for single-engine planes to land in an emergency. “Whatever is available is available,” Freeman said, noting that the biplane flown by Creato was built to land on grass landing strips over concrete.

On Sunday, Freeman said it was a scary moment when he first heard the report of an emergency. The aviation community is small on the Island, and everyone knows one another. “It’s personal,” Freeman said. “But thankfully, this was a walk in the park for him.”

As to the events of the day, first responders shut down traffic on Main Street in Edgartown around noon on Sunday in an effort to get personnel out to the remote island. It was reported over the emergency communication radio that the pilot had said an engine failure caused an emergency landing. 

Edgartown Fire Chief Alex Schaeffer said first responders were alerted to the situation unfolding, and immediately took action. “The harbormaster was able to put eyes on it from the waterside, and make contact with them,” said Schaeffer just after noon on Sunday. 

Also over the emergency radio, the pilot said that he knew which parts they needed, and had his brother on his way with parts to fix the plane. 

Later in the afternoon, confirmed through video circulated over social media, the plane successfully took off from the beach. 

According to the Katama Airfield website, Creato earned his commercial pilot’s license in 1987, and began his career as a pilot. He later became the manager of Katama Airfield, and began his current business, Classic Aviators, in 1995.