SLIDESHOW: Amazing Plane Inspection Done During Emergency Landing
WEIRD PHOTOS: News Of The Strange Slideshow
SIGN UP: Daily News Of The Strange Email

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- It was a literal fix on the fly at the New Smyrna Beach Airport. Three men in a jeep drove within feet of a small plane to fix its landing gear while it was still in the air.

The jeep had to go just about as fast as it could go down the runway, and the small Cessna had to slow to almost stalling speed for it to work.

"It's not something, from a safety standpoint, we would promote under normal circumstances," said New Smyrna Beach spokesperson Shannon Lewis.

An instructor and student were approaching the airport, ready to land, when they noticed their landing gear wouldn't lock in place. They radioed in their predicament and then circled for about an hour before crews on the ground could come up with a plan to get them down safely.

"We went through the normal procedures, emergency procedures, did a little bit extra by driving out," said Tony Perna, Epic Aviation.

With emergency vehicles in place, the Cessna flew in low and slow with a jeep right beside it. After several passes at about 80 miles per hour, the three-man crew in the jeep was able to see the problem and figure out how to fix it.

On a final pass, the men used a five-foot long pole to push the landing gear into place and lock it. With that done, the plane was able to land safely.

The instructor was flying the plane during the low passes. Epic Aviation would not let Channel 9 speak with him.

The airport will now investigate to see if the impromptu in-flight inspection broke any major rules.

"Investigating the incident and determining if any action needs to be taken," said Lewis.

When the airport is done with their investigation, they will forward their report to the Federal Aviation Authority.