http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...SS&attr=797093
Sophie Tedmanson in Sydney
A pilot has been hailed as a hero for safely ditching his plane into the sea off Australia and saving the lives of all on board.
The medical plane, which was transporting a patient and five others from Samoa to Melbourne, began to run out of fuel as it approached Norfolk Island,
a small island in the Pacific off the east coast of Australia, on Wednesday night.
Captain Dominic James, a former nominee for ‘bachelor of the year’ in an Australian magazine, was praised for his “amazing” skill
at bringing the plane down in the dark and saving the lives of his passengers.
In an accident which bore similarities to the Hudson River plane crash in New York in January, Captain James decided to make a controlled landing onto the sea off the island, and landed the Westwind jet safely on the water.
The plane sank within minutes, but the patient, her husband, two medical crew and the two pilots evacuated safely. The six people clung to each other, treading water under the moonlight for 90 minutes because only three had time to grab life jackets.
They were eventually rescued by boat and taken to the island where they were treated for shock, but remarkably none were injured.
Pel-Air Aviation chairman John Sharp said he was very proud of Captain James and the first officer.
“Their professionalism stood out on the day and made a substantial difference to the outcome,” he said.
“They executed what would have to be described as a perfect landing on water. The pilots ensured that the aircraft landed close to the coast, close to rescue.
“They landed at night, approximately we think about 9.30pm (10.30am GMT) local time, and as a result of the skill of the pilots the aircraft landed in the water and none of the passengers were injured.”
Norfolk Island airport manager Glenn Robinson said the passengers were shaken up by their ordeal.
“They were extremely lucky and believe me, they all know it,” he told and Australian radio station.
“Full credit to the pilot. It was just an amazing effort by him.”
In January US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger was hailed a hero for safely ditching an Airbus 320 into the Hudson River in New York, saving all 155 passengers and crew on board.