Mechanical failure of light aircraft at Rockhampton Airport closes runway

Airport operations have resumed to normal after a very busy Monday, inside the terminal and out on the runway. Here’s the latest.

A light aircraft crash has closed the runway at Rockhampton Airport.

Chaos ensued at the Rockhampton Airport on Monday after a mechanical failure during a plane landing caused the runway to close while an unrelated evacuation was called inside the terminal.

The aircraft, a power driven 1977 Beech aircraft, attempted to land without “landing gear fully extended”.

Queensland Ambulance Services reported the sole occupant was assessed by paramedics as a precaution and had no obvious injuries.

The Rockhampton Airport runway was closed down around 2pm until the aircraft was removed, with flights delayed and diverted.

“There are no injuries from the incident, however the airport is currently working to remove the aircraft from the runway and resume normal operations,” Rockhampton Airport manager Marcus Vyke said at the time.

A Virgin Australia flight operated by Alliance Airlines from Brisbane was diverted to Gladstone.

The runway was reopened a few hours later and normal perations resumed.

“We’d like to thank all passengers and staff for your patience and co-operation today while the airport team worked to reopen the runway and clear the terminal after an evacuation, which was unrelated to the aircraft incident,” an airport spokesperson said.

The news comes as the wreckage of a light plane which was reported missing in North Queensland on Sunday was found west of Proserpine on Monday morning.

On board the aircraft, a white and green Piper Cherokee, was Rhiley Kuhrt, the son of a Mackay district police senior sergeant, and his pregnant wife Maree.

The plane was due to arrive at Lakeside Airpark at Bloomsbury about 5.30pm on Sunday, before it was reported missing about 6.30pm.