The pilot of a light aircraft has been forced to make a crash landing at Gloucestershire Airport in Staverton.
An emergency call was made from the Pioneer 400 to airport staff at 10.20am on Monday morning after the pilot and passenger became concerned when one of the aircraft’s wheels failed to extend ready to land. The aircraft then circled the site a few times so that airport staff could advise on the problem with its undercarriage.
After being alerted by Gloucestershire Airport, three fire and rescue appliances and a rescue unit were sent from Gloucester North Fire Station to the scene, where crews liaised with the airport fire team. A controlled crash landing was then carried out by the pilot.
Despite extensive damage to the aircraft, both pilot and passenger were uninjured and checked over at the scene by a paramedic. Fire service crews made the area safe. Gloucestershire Chief Fire Officer Jon Hall said:
“The location of the county’s new community fire stations, including Gloucester North Fire Station in Cheltenham Road East, has ensured that crews can respond to any incident across the county as quickly as possible. Fortunately, on this occasion the pilot was fully aware of the problems with his aircraft, but our crews were ready and able to assist if the emergency had called for it. This was a great example of the joint work and training we do regularly with the fire team at the airport.”
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