A small plane made a hard landing at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport after its landing gear failed to deploy, officials say.

Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to the airport shortly before 1 p.m. after receiving word about a twin-engine Senece airplane having mechanical difficulties.

The airport's tower instructed the plane, which was carrying three people, to circle the airport until emergency units were in position.

The pilot then brough the plane down, completing a hard landing alongside the airport's runway in a grassy area.

The three people inside the plane were able to get out safely. Medical personnel evaluated them and found no injuries.

The plane sustained moderate damage.

The fire department was also assisted by the Brooksville Fire Department and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

"Thanks to the coordination between all agencies involved and the skill of the pilot, a much more serious ending to this event was averted," said Alex Lopez, HCFR's Division Chief of Training.