Mal
2007-02-05 10:58:55 UTC
Killed pilot was on maintenance flight
By Paul Carter
February 05, 2007 01:48pm
Article from: AAP
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A PILOT killed when his plane ploughed into surf in front of beachgoers on
the NSW north coast was on a maintenance flight when he crashed, police
said.
Engine trouble forced the pilot to declare an emergency on board the Twin
Comanche nine minutes after taking off from Coolangatta yesterday,
Superintendent Greg Carey said today.
"It was a routine maintenance flight," Mr Carey said.
The male pilot, who is yet to be formally identified, radioed his emergency
to air traffic controllers.
"At one point he indicated his intention to put the plane down on the beach,
and then subsequently that he was ditching," Mr Carey said.
The plane flew a low altitude course in line with the crowded beach before
banking right over the water and crashing 150m beyond the breakers at
Casuarina Beach, near Kingscliff, about 5.30pm (AEDT).
A rescuer soon on the scene dived from a hovering helicopter to remove the
pilot from the wreckage five metres under the water. But attempts to revive
him failed.
The pilot, who is believed be a 61-year-old Mermaid Beach man, was flying
solo.
His wife is currently overseas and was yet be informed.
By Paul Carter
February 05, 2007 01:48pm
Article from: AAP
Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
A PILOT killed when his plane ploughed into surf in front of beachgoers on
the NSW north coast was on a maintenance flight when he crashed, police
said.
Engine trouble forced the pilot to declare an emergency on board the Twin
Comanche nine minutes after taking off from Coolangatta yesterday,
Superintendent Greg Carey said today.
"It was a routine maintenance flight," Mr Carey said.
The male pilot, who is yet to be formally identified, radioed his emergency
to air traffic controllers.
"At one point he indicated his intention to put the plane down on the beach,
and then subsequently that he was ditching," Mr Carey said.
The plane flew a low altitude course in line with the crowded beach before
banking right over the water and crashing 150m beyond the breakers at
Casuarina Beach, near Kingscliff, about 5.30pm (AEDT).
A rescuer soon on the scene dived from a hovering helicopter to remove the
pilot from the wreckage five metres under the water. But attempts to revive
him failed.
The pilot, who is believed be a 61-year-old Mermaid Beach man, was flying
solo.
His wife is currently overseas and was yet be informed.