Hero Pilot

Frankston Standard Leader Nov 21, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: Trainee and pilot survive emergency landing in Langwarrin
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Emergency Services





First photo: The scene of the crash landing. Picture: Andrew Batsch

A STUDENT pilot and his instructor are lucky to be alive after the engine on their light plane stopped mid-flight, forcing them to ditch in a Langwarrin quarry just after 2pm.

The plane was on a training flight between French Island and Moorabbin Airport when it was forced to ditch near Quarry Rd, about 55km south-east of the CBD.

The pilot told the Leader he was "a little scared’’ following the emergency.

"I am very well considering,’’ he added, but refused to comment further.

First photos: Plane ditches in Langwarrin quarry

Sgt Darron Hedge, at the scene, praised the pilot, 45.

"If it had been a little closer to Moorabbin, it would have been much more serious,’’ he said.

"The pilot did a great job averting what could have been a disaster.’’

Sgt Hedge said the student pilot, 23, was flying the Piper Cherokee when the engine spluttered and cut out.

The instructor, aged 45, took over the controls and realised he had to make an emergency landing, looking for open space away from homes, Sgt Hedge said.

The pilot brought the plane to land, skidding along a bank of dirt and ripping away the undercarriage.

The single-engine plane stopped just metres from a large wall of sand.

Fire crews were called to the scene but police said neither the pilot or student were injured.
Their names are not known. Both are thought to be eastern European and its believed both are from the Royal Victorian Aero Club.

The club said it had been informed of the accident, but when asked if it was one of their planes refused to comment.

A Royal Victorian Aero Club aircraft crashed in Cheltenham in August after a mid-air collision, killing a student pilot.

The Leader is at the scene. More details to come.