New South Wales, MAY 13: After a mechanical failure at Newcastle Airport in Australia’s New South Wales, a small plane was forced to land without landing gear, but the pilot and two passengers survived.
According to Nine News, the aircraft, a Beach B-200 Super King, burned fuel while circling the airport for hours before making a “textbook” wheels-up emergency landing.
The aircraft is seen in video approaching the runway without its landing gear engaged. After touching down, it skids on the tarmac until it stops. In the video, emergency response vehicles that were on standby could be seen rushing to the plane’s aid.
According to Nine News, NSW police superintendent Wayne Humphrey commended the 53-year-old pilot for carrying out a successful landing, noting that no one was hurt and the passengers could even drive home.
“It was a great result, really well done by the pilot,” Humphrey reportedly said. “I could hear him on the air, he sounded very calm to me.”
For several hours, the aircraft had been circling the airport in order to burn fuel.
According to Humphrey, when the control room crew saw the plane had landed safely, they erupted in cheers.
The aircraft was supposed to take off from Newcastle and land at Port Macquarie, which is approximately 400 kilometers (248 miles) north of Sydney, in 26 minutes.
