Two passengers and a pilot safely exited a small aircraft after it performed an emergency landing without landing gear due to a mechanical issue at Newcastle Airport in New South Wales, Australia.
According to CNN affiliate Nine News, the aircraft, identified as a Beach B-200 Super King, circled the airport for an extended period, strategically burning fuel before executing what was described as a “textbook” wheels-up emergency landing.
Video footage captured the moment the plane approached the runway without its landing gear deployed, ultimately skidding along the tarmac until it came to a halt. Emergency response teams, prepped for the event, swiftly moved in to assist the aircraft.
Superintendent Wayne Humphrey of the NSW police commended the 53-year-old pilot for the successful landing, emphasizing that there were no injuries reported.
Remarkably, the passengers were able to drive home following the incident, as per Nine News.
“It was a commendable result, with the pilot demonstrating remarkable composure,” Humphrey remarked.
“His demeanor over the airwaves was notably composed.”
Prior to the landing, the plane had spent several hours circling the airport to reduce its fuel load.
Humphrey shared that there was a round of applause in the control room as the plane safely touched down.
The flight was initially intended to be a short 26-minute journey from Newcastle to Port Macquarie, located approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) north of Sydney.
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