Emergency landing sees lucky escape

A SALVAGE attempt was under way on Fraser Island after an ultra-light plane lost power and was forced to make an emergency landing.

David Lewis and Darren Oxley at the VMR base in Urangan after their rescue yesterday. Picture: Nat Bromhead

A SALVAGE attempt was underway on Fraser Island yesterday afternoon after an ultra-light plane lost power and was forced to make an emergency landing.

Pilot David Lewis and passenger Darren Oxley, both of Hervey Bay, were on a scenic flight along the western side of the island at 10am when the engine started spluttering.

They were about 500 metres from the beach – and at an altitude of about 1200 feet – when the engine cut out completely.

Mr Lewis kept his cool and put his emergency landing training into practice.

“I circled for a while, had a good look around and saw a hard piece of sand,” Mr Lewis said. “I glided into the beach and landed a mile north of Awinya Creek.”

The men then found themselves in another predicament – they were on a remote area of the beach with no phone reception.

“We pushed the plane up the beach above the high tide mark and started walking south to Moon Point,” Mr Lewis said.

Soon they came across a couple who kindly gave them water and a sandwich and they were able to call Hervey Bay Volunteer Marine Rescue for help.

“I’ve been flying for seven years and put in 1200 trouble-free hours with this aircraft,” Mr Lewis said.

“I don’t know why it lost power. We’re going to salvage it as soon as possible.

“I would have preferred this not to have happened but it was a good outcome.”

Originally published as Emergency landing sees lucky escape