by SydneyThe pilot, his wife and their one-year-old son were uninjured when the plane landed on Collaroy beach in Sydneys north
Australian Associated Press
Wed 26 May 2021 03.09 EDT
A young family has had a lucky escape after their light plane was forced to make an emergency landing on a Sydney beach.
The plane landed at Collaroy on Sydneys northern beaches about 2pm on Wednesday.
The pilot was flying with his wife and their one-year-old son when the aircraft experienced engine trouble, NSW Ambulance said. All three were uninjured.
The plane landed a few hundred metres from people walking on the beach, an eyewitness told 2GB radio.
Its a beautiful, quiet day not a cloud in the sky and what happens? This plane just floats past us, the man said.
It was really close and really low, losing altitude really fast, and landed beautifully on the beach.
Two people killed after light plane crashes in paddock north of Canberra
Insp Dave Stubbs said the trio was extremely lucky to land safely and it was fortunate no one was walking on the stretch of sand that became their makeshift runway.
You always think the worst when a plane is involved but thankfully they were able to land safely on the beach and there were no injuries sustained by those on board, he said in a statement.
Recreational Aviation Australia will investigate the incident.
Meanwhile, a helicopter pilot has died after his aircraft crashed in the Riverina district near the NSW-Victorian border.
The man was flying in Maude when the helicopter crashed about midday on Wednesday.
Paramedics were called to a property about 50km west of Hay but the pilot the sole occupant died at the scene.
NSW police are investigating the crash and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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