A 31-year-old male pilot and his two passengers were lucky to escape without injury following an emergency landing in Jabiru yesterday.

Station Officer Tex Tourell from the NT Fire and Rescue Service said that the pilot of the Gunbalanya Air Cessna 310 plane called through at around 6:30 pm stating the plane was experiencing difficulties with its landing gear.

“The plane, with its three occupants, departed from Manmoi heading to Maningrida, however after take off the pilot realised the front wheel of the plane was faulty” said Station Officer Tourell.

“The wheel could neither be retracted nor extended and at that point, the pilot called through to raise the alarm, stating he was to make a controlled crash landing at Jabiru.

“Police, Jabiru Fire and Rescue, ERA Emergency Services and Jabiru Health Clinic members attended the airstrip; the plane landed nose down without incident.

“Although the nose, the two props of the plane and the tarmac were damaged, all occupants were uninjured. You have to take your hat off to the pilot who made the landing look easy and for staying calm during the entire situation.”

The airstrip has since been cleared.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is now investigating the incident.

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