A PILOT has been left shaken but uninjured after his light aircraft avoided a more serious crash-landing at Port Macquarie airport on Monday (May 31).
Emergency services rushed to the scene just before noon to find the private aircraft had made its way off the runway and onto a clearing before coming to a stop.
Fire and Rescue NSW Port Macquarie station commander Gaven Muller said the man was lucky not to have been injured.
Police, paramedics and fire crews were on scene to assess the incident.
The pilot did not require treatment and Fire and Rescue's HAZMAT unit checked for fuel spills.
Mr Muller said the front landing gear of the aircraft did not engage as the pilot was approaching the airport.
The pilot managed to ground the aircraft without the landing gear in place, avoiding a more serious impact, before veering off the runway.
"It's lucky the ground here is still so wet he was able to stop," Mr Muller said.
The airport was only closed briefly while emergency services were on scene.
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Tracey Fairhurst
The Port News has been at the heart of its community for more than 135 years. Your stories matter to us and so does local journalism. If you have a story to share, email tracey.fairhurst@austcommunitymedia.com.au
The Port News has been at the heart of its community for more than 135 years. Your stories matter to us and so does local journalism. If you have a story to share, email tracey.fairhurst@austcommunitymedia.com.au
