Mechanical problems cause airport drama
Update from todays Advocate
BY CAMERON WHITELEY
14 Jul, 2012 12:00 AM
A PILOT was forced to make an emergency landing at Wynyard airport last night after encountering mechanical difficulties with his aircraft.
Concerned onlookers watched nervously as the Tasfast freight service Piper Chieftain, carrying only the pilot on board, circled the Wynyard area for nearly an hour.
The 22-year-old pilot from Victoria, whose name could not be provided, first reported the problems to air traffic control in Melbourne about 8.30pm.
Police said the aircraft was about 60 nautical miles off Wynyard when he realised there were issues with the trim of the aircraft which could jeopardise the landing.
Three police vehicles, five fire service units and three units from the airport responded to the reports and started to put in place a plan for the landing.
"We were able to have communications with the pilot and discuss a landing plan for him and have everyone in position prior to him coming into landing," Tasmania Police Sergeant Mark Forteath said.
"We were told he had 150 litres of fuel on board so we knew that time wasn't such an issue at that particular moment.
"We were able to then tell him to land once when everyone was in position, and he came in for an emergency landing which was excellent."
Sgt Forteath said the pilot had acted well under pressure.
"No one was hurt, the pilot has walked away quite happily and the aircraft wasn't damaged either. It was a really good landing and the pilot should be praised for his efforts," he said.
"He was doing a really good job (during the communications), he was very very calm and doing a brilliant job for the stress that he was under.