Apparently female pilot flying solo IOM-BLK ditched 22 miles off shore due to an engine failure. She was picked up by the offshore lifeboat, taken to a nearby gas rig and was taken to shore by a CHC helicopter and had a check up at the hospital. A happy ending indeed.
Heard this unfold on D&D when overflying - Female pilot reporting double engine failure and unable to make destination at that time reported to be 18 miles away. She sound relatively calm and composed under the circumstances, reporting that she was visual with some oil rigs and would circle around them.......and "possibly land on one"!! However I am delighted that she made it, job well done - even if it wasnt the planned outcome!
PLANE carrying one person has ditched in the sea off the Fylde coast. The female pilot sent out a May Day to Blackpool's air traffic control after experiencing engine trouble.
The incident happened just after midday.
It was feared the plane could be forced to make a crash-landing at the resort's airport.
It was finally forced to ditch in the Irish Sea 22 miles off the Blackpool coast.
The pilot was due to land at the Isle of Man after travelling from Guernsey.
She was picked up by a rig supply boat and taken to a nearby gas rig.
CHC Scotia have sent out helicopter to bring her back to Blackpool where she will be taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for a check-up.
A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "All services are on stand-by after the pilot reported engine trouble."
Sue Kendrick, from Blackpool Airport, said: "We had reports a one-man small aircraft was having engine troubles.
"It has been forced to ditch in the sea and the person on board has been picked up."
