Small plane makes emergency landing in Fredericksburg

The plane was heading from Tampa, Fla., to Charlottesville, but was diverted because of a lack of fuel. (Courtesy of Virginia State Police)
A small plane made an emergency landing near the parking lot of a Wawa gas station in Fredericksburg before 6 a.m. Monday. (Dave Ellis/The Free Lance-Star)
The plane suffered minor damage and also damaged a mailbox and a parking sign, the Virginia State Police say. (Photo courtesy of Gain Foster)
The Virginia State Police identified the pilot as Jerome Orlando, 33, of Broadway, Va. (Dave Ellis/The Free Lance-Star)
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WASHINGTON – A small plane made an emergency landing shortly before 6 a.m. Monday near the parking lot of a Wawa gas station in Fredericksburg, Va.

The plane landed in a grassy area near the entrance to the station on Shannon Park Drive. Virginia State Police say pilot Jerome M. Orlando, 33, of Broadway, Va., was the only person on board and was not injured. The plane suffered minor damage, along with a mailbox and a parking sign.

Police say Orlando was flying from Tampa, Fla., to Charlottesville, but weather forced a diversion – first to Stafford Regional Airport, then to Shannon Airport because the plane was low on fuel. Police say a lack of fuel forced the emergency landing.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified, police say.

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