Stricken aircraft lands safely thanks to 4x4
March 9, 2006A light aircraft pilot and his passenger had a lucky escape when their plane had to be guided on to a grass airfield in the middle of the night using the headlights of a 4x4 jeep.
The Cessna plane suffered engine failure and was unable to reach a main airport, so air traffic controllers asked the pilot to land at a small runway in Northumberland.
In the meantime they contacted local man Steve Clarehugh, himself an experienced flier, to help guide the small plane in.
As the air traffic controllers spoke to the pilot, Steve Clarehugh positioned his Isuzu Trooper jeep at the end of the runway and turned on his headlights and indicators to help the Cessna land.
The Manchester Evening News reported that the plane didn't land completely without a hitch as it spun off the runway and into a fence.
"As the aircraft landed it hit a barbed wire fence, which wrapped itself around the propeller," said Steve Clarehugh. "There were loads of sparks and in the dark it was quite an impressive sight."
The pilot and his passenger escaped unharmed and were treated for shock.
© Cheapflights Ltd Craig McGinty
