niceneasy
5th Feb 2006, 22:08
Ten survive emegency plane landing
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February 6, 2006 - 6:46AM
A pilot who was forced to land a seaplane on a remote west Tasmanian lake today says modern technology saved him and and his 10 passengers after the aircraft lost power.
Kevin Pearce, of Strahan in Tasmania's wilderness, said he had five minutes to manoeuvre the single-engine aircraft to safety after a warning light flashed on the control panel.
With the adrenaline flowing - knowing he would have to make a quick and calculated decision to land the plane safely - Mr Pearce guided the plane towards Lake Burbury, a large water mass on the fringe of rugged wilderness territory.
An experienced pilot, Mr Pearce, 49, kept remarkably calm as he steered the amphibious aircraft towards the lake with just five minutes to set up the emergency landing.
He said he remained very calm and the passengers were not aware there was an emergency affecting their scenic flight.
"When the problem become more obvious ... I had the luxury of having the lake underneath me," Mr Pearce said.
Using the craft's floats to scrape the water, Mr Pearce skilfully slowed the plane and skidded towards a mudflat.
The Cessna Caravan, operated by Wilderness Air in Strahan, hit Lake Burbury at 6.18pm.
Mr Pearce then told his 10 passengers - two French tourists and eight Victorians - that the lake landing was in fact an emergency.
"To be truthful, they didn't know it was an emergency," Mr Pearce said.
"We were just elated we landed safely and there was no damage to the airplane ... we literally walked away from it.
"The passengers were all fine - they just wanted to take photos afterwards.
"They didn't even have to be relieved because there was nothing to be anxious about - it was all over before they were aware of it."
Mr Pearce said he was hovering near Frenchman's Cap, which is known for its rugged country, when he struck trouble.
He said he made the landing with virtually no power.
Mr Pearce said he wanted to acknowledge Cessna, the aircraft company, for its design of modern-day aircraft.
"There's a lot of credit due to Cessna, which can alert the pilot to a number of factors in an emergency," he said.
"I think with modern-day aircraft being that safe, that is what made the landing (successful)."
Queenstown's Senior Constable Jayson Taws said the passengers got out unscathed and then walked up to the jetty where rescue crews waited, fearing the worst.
Sen Const Taws said the passengers marvelled at the skill of Mr Pearce which had saved their lives.
"They're chuffed - they're loving him at the moment," Senior Constable Taws said. "They think he's a legend."
He said local pilots were skilled at steering their planes around rugged, mountainous terrain.
"It's wilderness out here and it's wild country," Senior Constable Taws said.
"These pilots have to know what they are doing - it's tough out there."
A police spokesman said local ambulance, fire services and SES crew attended and the Westpac rescue helicopter was called in, with a second helicopter on standby.
"AUSSAR and air safety will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing," the spokesman said.
- AAP
Email Print Normal font Large font Hobart
February 6, 2006 - 6:46AM
A pilot who was forced to land a seaplane on a remote west Tasmanian lake today says modern technology saved him and and his 10 passengers after the aircraft lost power.
Kevin Pearce, of Strahan in Tasmania's wilderness, said he had five minutes to manoeuvre the single-engine aircraft to safety after a warning light flashed on the control panel.
With the adrenaline flowing - knowing he would have to make a quick and calculated decision to land the plane safely - Mr Pearce guided the plane towards Lake Burbury, a large water mass on the fringe of rugged wilderness territory.
An experienced pilot, Mr Pearce, 49, kept remarkably calm as he steered the amphibious aircraft towards the lake with just five minutes to set up the emergency landing.
He said he remained very calm and the passengers were not aware there was an emergency affecting their scenic flight.
"When the problem become more obvious ... I had the luxury of having the lake underneath me," Mr Pearce said.
Using the craft's floats to scrape the water, Mr Pearce skilfully slowed the plane and skidded towards a mudflat.
The Cessna Caravan, operated by Wilderness Air in Strahan, hit Lake Burbury at 6.18pm.
Mr Pearce then told his 10 passengers - two French tourists and eight Victorians - that the lake landing was in fact an emergency.
"To be truthful, they didn't know it was an emergency," Mr Pearce said.
"We were just elated we landed safely and there was no damage to the airplane ... we literally walked away from it.
"The passengers were all fine - they just wanted to take photos afterwards.
"They didn't even have to be relieved because there was nothing to be anxious about - it was all over before they were aware of it."
Mr Pearce said he was hovering near Frenchman's Cap, which is known for its rugged country, when he struck trouble.
He said he made the landing with virtually no power.
Mr Pearce said he wanted to acknowledge Cessna, the aircraft company, for its design of modern-day aircraft.
"There's a lot of credit due to Cessna, which can alert the pilot to a number of factors in an emergency," he said.
"I think with modern-day aircraft being that safe, that is what made the landing (successful)."
Queenstown's Senior Constable Jayson Taws said the passengers got out unscathed and then walked up to the jetty where rescue crews waited, fearing the worst.
Sen Const Taws said the passengers marvelled at the skill of Mr Pearce which had saved their lives.
"They're chuffed - they're loving him at the moment," Senior Constable Taws said. "They think he's a legend."
He said local pilots were skilled at steering their planes around rugged, mountainous terrain.
"It's wilderness out here and it's wild country," Senior Constable Taws said.
"These pilots have to know what they are doing - it's tough out there."
A police spokesman said local ambulance, fire services and SES crew attended and the Westpac rescue helicopter was called in, with a second helicopter on standby.
"AUSSAR and air safety will be investigating the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing," the spokesman said.
- AAP