Botched landing puts 2 in lake

INCLINE VILLAGE - The pilot and passenger of an amphibious Cessna escaped serious injury Tuesday when the plane tipped forward as it was landing on Lake Tahoe just off Ski Beach in Incline Village.

The pilot, Glenn Lubbe, 45, of Reno, and passenger, Jeffery Rawson, 51, of Houston, climbed on top of the overturned plane and waited for help. Neither was injured in the accident, which left them both soaked and cold.

Witnesses included a mother, Incline Village resident Viola Wunderling, and her sons Benjamin, 2, and Oliver, 1 month, who were in a lakeside park enjoying the fresh air.

Wunderling, 32, said her son was watching the float plane's descent when it went down.

As the amphibious Cessna 185 neared lake level, she added, the nose dipped down and under, flipping the plane.

The North Lake Tahoe Fire District responded with one engine, two ambulance units, and a rescue squad, along with two fire chiefs, according to District Chief Bill Metcalf.

Four Washoe County sheriff's cars also arrived quickly, according to Wunderling. The call came into the Washoe County Sheriff's Substation at 10:01 a.m.

Also witnessing the botched landing was the pilot's friend David Belding and his wife, who had been waiting on shore.

After warming up, Lubbe and Rawson left the scene with the Beldings. Neither was available for comment.

A Placer County Sheriff's Office boat patrol unit towed the inverted aircraft - with landing gear extended - from a point about a quarter of a mile from Ski Beach to as close to shore as possible.