Pilot survives brush with death
Pilot survives brush with death
Pilot survives brush with death
November 10, 2004
A PILOT had a brush with death today when both engines on his light plane failed and he began descending towards the waters of Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay.
The pilot issued a mayday call about 3.15pm (AEDT) and said he was planning to ditch his twin-engine Partnavia aircraft into the water west of Moorabbin Airport.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, doing exercises nearby, heard the man's call and rushed to the area.
The pilot then managed to get one of the engines started and was escorted to Moorabbin Airport by the Westpac crew.
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service executive director Brett Rankin said the pilot had been highly agitated when he made the first call for help.
"He called mayday, mayday, mayday, which is the highest level of distress you can call in aviation," Mr Rankin said.
"He said during the mayday call that he had lost both engines and that his intentions were to ditch into Port Phillip Bay."
Mr Rankin said ditching an aircraft of this type into the water would have been extremely perilous.
"It's a very serious thing to do in a light fixed-wing," he said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is now waiting to receive a report form the pilot before it decides whether to launch an investigation into the incident.
AAP
This report appears on NEWS.com.au.
November 10, 2004
A PILOT had a brush with death today when both engines on his light plane failed and he began descending towards the waters of Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay.
The pilot issued a mayday call about 3.15pm (AEDT) and said he was planning to ditch his twin-engine Partnavia aircraft into the water west of Moorabbin Airport.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew, doing exercises nearby, heard the man's call and rushed to the area.
The pilot then managed to get one of the engines started and was escorted to Moorabbin Airport by the Westpac crew.
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service executive director Brett Rankin said the pilot had been highly agitated when he made the first call for help.
"He called mayday, mayday, mayday, which is the highest level of distress you can call in aviation," Mr Rankin said.
"He said during the mayday call that he had lost both engines and that his intentions were to ditch into Port Phillip Bay."
Mr Rankin said ditching an aircraft of this type into the water would have been extremely perilous.
"It's a very serious thing to do in a light fixed-wing," he said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is now waiting to receive a report form the pilot before it decides whether to launch an investigation into the incident.
AAP
This report appears on NEWS.com.au.
Partenavia? Double engine failure? Well known defect is the fuel tank selectors in the cockpit which are prone to jamming unless they are regularly exercised and snagged if they jam. Snagged? Never happens of course..
Ah ha! That would explain the very unusual circuit pattern into MB yesterday aftn about 1600 local. Speed up and curved approach. Looked like both mills spinning though. If it wasn't ,just another day in the shop!
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Sunfish
"ideal conditions" but flying at night? Sounds like maybe we lost our horizon.
All credit to you.
NG
