Pilots and employees of the small Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa, FL, were shocked and even scared at the sudden landing of a C-17 Globemaster Friday afternoon.
Intending to land at MacDill Air Force Base four miles away, the pilot’s mistake may have been partially earned back after managing to land the four-engined jet, (282,500 lbs when empty!), on Knight Airport’s petite 3,405 ft runway with 10 feet to spare.
The airport was closed until later in the day when the C-17 made a successful takeoff. Below are videos of both the landing and departure.
There is no word if any reprimand may come for the crew, based at New Jersey’s McGuire Air Force Base.