By Jessica McSweeney
An emergency command centre erupted into cheers as a pilot performed a “textbook wheels-up landing” after losing his landing gear above a NSW airport.
The small passenger plane took off from Newcastle Airport at 8.30am on Monday and was headed towards Port Macquarie when it began circling around its departure point with two passengers and the pilot onboard.
A plane was circling Newcastle Airport after an equipment failure.Credit: FlightRadar24
An hour later, police and emergency services were called after the 53-year-old pilot from Queensland reported mechanical issues with the aircraft.
The plane circled the airport for almost four hours, shedding fuel in a bid to reduce the weight of the aircraft before attempting an emergency landing.
The plane approached the runway about 12.15pm and was able to land safely. The pilot and passengers – a 60-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman from the Central Coast – climbed out of the plane and greeted the waiting firefighters as onlookers cheered.
NSW Police Superintendent Wayne Humphrey described it as “a textbook wheels-up landing” with no injuries reported.
The plane landed successfully before 12.30pm on Monday.Credit: Nine News
“I believe they jumped in the car and drove home,” he said of the passengers.
Humphrey said the emergency services command centre erupted into applause as the pilot pulled off the landing.
“It was a great result, really well done by the pilot,” he said.
“I could hear him on the air. He sounded very calm.”
The runway will be closed for 24 hours as any damage is assessed.
The Eastern Air Services Beechcraft Super King Air plane is a twin-turboprop aircraft that is capable of carrying about 13 passengers.
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