[Image: ALS Paramedics Medical Services / Facebook]
A pilot has been hailed for making an emergency landing on a Durbn beach on Saturday after the light plane he was flying experienced engine problems.
Two men – a 28-year-old instructor pilot and an 18-year-old trainee pilot – were on a training flight from Pietermaritzburg to Virginia Airport when they began experiencing engine issues near Virginia Airport and seemed unable to reach the runway.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban coxswain Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan said Virginia ATC (Air Traffic Control) was monitoring the pilot, and confirmed that he would not make it to the runway and needed to make an emergency landing on the nearby beach.
“The pilot has been commended for making the safe emergency landing.”
The ARCC coordinated an emergency response. The SA Police Service, Police Search and Rescue, NSRI Durban, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, Ensure Security, Netcare 911 ambulance services, ALS Paramedics, Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA) and Virginia ATC authorities responded.
“Virginia ATC confirmed that the aircraft had landed on the beach in the vicinity west of Virginia Beach, and the pilot confirmed that there were no injuries,” Taverna-Turisan said. “The aircraft was found safely on the beach but threatened by the incoming Spring high tide.”
“The two pilots, shaken but in good spirits. They were transported to Virginia Airport.”
The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) is investigating the incident.
Any landing you can walk away from, hey?
[Source: IOL]
