A flight instructor and trainee have narrowly avoided disaster after their light plane crash-landed in Bossley Park in Sydney’s southwest yesterday, steering clear of a nearby Catholic school and homes. Source:7News.com.au
The Piper PA-28 took off from Bankstown Airport about 2.20pm before crashing into trees lining the Terone Park – a playground for Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School – about five minutes later.
The 37-year-old male pilot and 34-year-old female trainee sustained minor injuries. Both were assessed by paramedics but chose not to go to hospital.
The plane was on a training flight and appeared to suffer engine failure before making the emergency landing, Fire and Rescue NSW said in a statement.
It was believed to be carrying up to 340 litres of fuel and a 100m fire protection zone was set up to monitor for leaks.
7News.com.au obtained the pilot’s radio call to the tower seconds before the crash, showing how he had remained calm in the emergency.
“Mayday, mayday, mayday,” the pilot called. “We’re going to be forced landing.”
A witness said children finishing school at 3pm typically “run down into that direction” where the plane crashed.
“There could have been a huge catastrophe,” she said.
Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School principal Beverly Coffey said parents coming to pick up their children informed staff of the crash.
Teachers and administrative staff donned high-visibility clothing to handle “some pretty upset kids”, but the crash did not otherwise impact the end of the school day, Ms Coffey said.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the cause of the crash.
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Two injured in light plane crash in Bossley Park, southwest Sydney (By Haley Taylor, 7news.com.au)
