On Wednesday January 30 at 1.45pm, duty crew at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 37 in Jeffreys Bay were activated after a request came in from Kouga Fire and Rescue Services to respond to the Van Stadens River Mouth as a light aircraft made an emergency landing on the beach.
NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty coxswain, Paul van Jaarsveld said, “Our NSRI rescue vehicle with NSRI crew responded to join the SA Police Services, Kouga Fire and Rescue Services and EC Government Health EMS who had already been activated by ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre).”
On arrival at the scene a Plettenberg Bay pilot and his wife were found safe on the beach with their light aircraft. The pilot was forced to land his aircraft on the beach due to suspected motor failure during a flight from Port Elizabeth to George.
Thankfully no injuries were incurred.
Douglas Aviation aircraft technicians were activated and assisted on the scene.
The incident is being investigated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Following consultation with CAA investigators the aircraft was moved to safety nearby to be recovered.
Picture: NSRI