NZ - light aircraft ditches

[Irishwingz]

Read on the Dom Post that a light aircraft ditched in the sea yesterday, Pilot swam to shore and flagged down a passing motorist. Happened just north of Timaru, South Island.

Anyone know more info??

[ZK-EBC]

Herald Online

Pilot forced to ditch plane at sea

30.07.2004
By JULIET ROWAN
A pilot forced to ditch his plane in the sea north of Timaru was safe and well last night.

The 40-year-old Ashburton man escaped with minor injuries after crash-landing the light plane a short distance off the coast of Clandeboye, near Temuka, some time before 7pm, police said. He was the only person aboard.

The man managed to make his way to shore and call emergency services.

The cause and exact location of the crash were unknown, but the plane was believed to have hit the sea 200m to 300m offshore.

Ken Mitchell, spokesman for Airways NZ, said the details were sketchy because the man was flying in unmonitored airspace at the time.

He did not know whether the aircraft was a twin- or single-engine Cessna but air accident investigators had been advised.
-NewZealandHerald.co.nz

[1279shp]

Cessna haven't had to market/advertise for years such is the publicity they get whenever an aircraft has an 'incident'.

Its always a 'single/twin engined Cessna'!!

[SkySurfin]

Yup was a Cessna 185. Cant imagine that it was a very warm swim to the shore!!! Great to hear he is out of hospital, safe and well....

[LateNightOps]

I think its much the same as most car crashes are either a Holden or Ford.. just a fair few of them running about the place.

[Cloud Cutter]

If it has 4 seats and one engine, it must be a cessna.:D

Well done, 40 year old Ashburton man, any ditching you swim away from is a good one:ok: