BOWDOINHAM — A small single-engine airplane crash-landed in a front yard in Bowdoinham Friday morning shortly after takeoff, but first responders say the pilot and a passenger escaped injury.

The single-engine Piper Cherokee landed on a lawn near 36 Teal Road shortly after experiencing a problem during takeoff from the airstrip at Merrymeeting Field. One of the plane’s landing gear broke off during the landing.

The plane crash was reported shortly before 11 a.m.

John McMullen was outside on his driveway and witnessed the incident.

McMullen said the plane was taking off, headed toward the nearby Cathance River.

“All of a sudden I heard the engine roaring and roaring,” he said. “He was trying to get power to it.”

McMullen said the pilot aborted the takeoff and dropped off the end of the runway into his yard.

“Luckily it just tore up a couple strips of sod and the wheel broke off,” he said.

The plane, which was built in 1968, is registered to American Classic Aviation, according to FAA records. American Classic Aviation operates a flying club out of Brunswick Landing, formerly Brunswick Naval Air Station.

Martin Farmer, vice president of American Classic Flying Club, was at the scene Friday. He confirmed club member John Favreau was flying the plane.

“We’re unsure at this time of what exactly happened,” he said. “The best news is everyone walked away and no one got hurt.”

Favreau did not return a message requesting comment.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been contacted and will investigate the incident.

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