Light Aircraft Makes Emergency Beach Landing

Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan, NSRI Durban coxswain, said: At 11h16, Saturday, 29 March, ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre) alerted on the ARCC early warning network of a light aircraft, with 2 males onboard, an instructor pilot, age 28 and a trainee pilot, age 18, flying a training flight from Pietermaritzburg to Virginia Airport, experiencing engine problems in the vicinity of Virginia Airport and appearing to be unable to make the runway.

Virginia ATC (Air Traffic Control) were monitoring and reported the pilot confirming that he would not make it to the runway and was looking to force land on the beach in the vicinity.

ARCC coordinated an emergency response.

The SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, NSRI Durban, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, Ensure Security, Netcare 911 ambulance services, ALS paramedics, SARZA (Search and Rescue South Africa) and Virginia ATC authorities responded.

Virginia ATC confirmed that the aircraft had landed on the beach in the vicinity of West of Virginia Beach and the Pilot confirmed that there were no injuries.

Gate access to the beach was being arranged.

An NSRI 4×4 rescue vehicle assisted to get NSRI rescue crew and Police Search and Rescue to the scene and SARZA 4×4 rescue vehicles assisted with further access to the aircraft in cooperation with Police and Fire and Rescue Services.

The aircraft was found safely on the beach but threatened by the incoming Spring high tide.

Emergency services attended at the scene where the aircraft was removed from the beach.

AIID (Accident and Incident Investigations Division) are investigating the incident.

The 2 pilots, shaken but in good spirits, were transported to Virginia Airport.

ARCC are commended for coordinating the emergency response and the swift response of all involved is commended.

The pilot has been commended for making the safe emergency landing.