FORCED LANDED AIRCRAFT AT LUCKHURST FARM ON THE HERMITAGE ESTATE

October 2009

On Thursday 15th October a new Cessna 127 light aircraft was collected from Rochester Airport for delivery to Eastbourne.

At 2100 feet, and within a couple of minutes of take-off, the propeller suddenly stopped and the pilot immediately sent out a Mayday call.

He looked for a large open space and in the distance saw a long field at Luckhurst Farm. Fortunately, the experienced pilot kept his cool and brought the plane down safely.

When we arrived on the scene, I said to the pilot “Christ, I bet that made your backside twitch”

“Actually, no” he said, “I was a bit too busy to think about that”

As a qualified flying instructor with 40 years experience he had a calmness about him that was quite incredible. The plane glided for one minute and he was lucky to be able to tell the tale. The engine casing had literally broken in half!!!