Not as spectacular as the recent large passenger aircraft crash in New York but still a big event locally in Darwin.
Shortly after take off around 0830 today, a pilot had to make an emergency landing on a coastal beach near East Point, Darwin. Just after takeoff, the plane lost power and then was ditched very successfully just off the beach.
All 6 passengers and pilot are uninjured, and they walked ashore from shallow water just off the beach. Most believe the pilot did a fantastic job........missed the residential areas. At least here the flight path off the main runway does go to the west over vacant land and then over the water, so he has had to get the plane around and back to the beach to land.
We have large tidal ranges here in Darwin and the light aircraft is now being drowned by the incoming tide.
This is definitely the story of the day locally.
Shortly after take off around 0830 today, a pilot had to make an emergency landing on a coastal beach near East Point, Darwin. Just after takeoff, the plane lost power and then was ditched very successfully just off the beach.
All 6 passengers and pilot are uninjured, and they walked ashore from shallow water just off the beach. Most believe the pilot did a fantastic job........missed the residential areas. At least here the flight path off the main runway does go to the west over vacant land and then over the water, so he has had to get the plane around and back to the beach to land.
We have large tidal ranges here in Darwin and the light aircraft is now being drowned by the incoming tide.
This is definitely the story of the day locally.
4 comments:
Quite dramatic....glad no one was hurt and the crocs didn't get them on the way in, or is that all just a myth. Oh, and a quick question. In Aus, do you say 'at the weekend' or 'on the weekend'? As in "I'll meet you at the weekend."
I would say - at the weekend, others may use on. No one correct usage I think.
No the crocs are not a myth...a 3m saltwater croc was seen last week only a few hundred m from where the plane ditched, and not far from where people were surfing in waves whipped up by monsoonal winds.
I am curious about Malaysia? Interesting place, one known well.
The plane looks bigger than a 6 passenger plane, or perhaps just a few passengers were on board. Was it a private aircraft? Heading where?
Great photo, and great news for the pilot and passengers.
A local flight of a computer company going out to service computer systems at Maningrida, about 500km E of Darwin; pilot and six passengers......they walked ashore. The pilot did a VERY good job; small twin engine aircraft DO NOT like losing power on one engine at take off, they tend to spear around and head straight for the ground. Landed with wheels and flaps up; that is how it is supposed to be done!
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