Pilot and trainee lucky to escape crash with minor injuries after plane lands in West Hoxton paddock
A TRAINING pilot and his student have miraculously suffered only minor injuries after their plane crashed in a West Hoxton paddock about 3pm this afternoon.
Fairfield
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A TRAINING pilot and his student have miraculously suffered only minor injuries after their plane crashed in a West Hoxton paddock about 3pm this afternoon.
Early reports suggest the PA-28 Cherokee took off from Bankstown Airport this afternoon, but the pilot issued a mayday call shortly afterwards and crashed into bushland near Moondarra Dr about 3pm.
NSW Ambulance paramedics rushed to the scene, but the pilot was reportedly only being treated for minor hand and leg injuries. The student pilot was unharmed.
Fire and Rescue NSW also had two units at the scene, after reports there was fuel leaking from the aircraft.
Footage from Channel 7 shows how lucky the pair were to escape the light aircraft without being seriously hurt.
He also avoided crashing into nearby houses.
A West Hoxton resident, who did not wish to be named, said he heard helicopters flying low and came to the paddock to investigate.
“Look how close it is to houses,” the resident said.
“I’m glad it didn’t catch on fire.”
It is not known what caused the crash but Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said thankfully noone was seriously hurt.
“It was a forced landing eight nautical miles form Bankstown Airport,” he said.
“It was a training flight with two people on board. Thankfully the two people aren’t (believed to be) hurt.”
Bankstown Airport confirmed that the plane took off from their runway.
They could not confirm which, if any, flying company was involved but did say that the crash zone was a known training area for flight schools.
Police and firefighters remain at the scene, with officers taking photographs of the crash site.
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