The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has launched an investigation into a mid-air incident near Gunnedah on Tuesday, where a training aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing.
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The pilot and trainee instructor were carrying out a training flight over the Breeza Plains when the CT-4B aircraft reportedly malfunctioned mid-air.
The pair issued a mayday call at around 9.20am, sparking an emergency response from authorities in Gunnedah, including local police and ambulance crews who rushed to the Gunnedah Airport waiting for the plane to land.
What followed was a chain of events where local authorities liaised with the air traffic control tower to try and determine the plane’s co-orindates and a safe landing spot.
The crew eventually landed the plane in a paddock off the Pullaming Stock Route just before 11am, where emergency crews were despatched.
They included NSW Fire and Rescue, the Rural Fire Service and local police.
The pilot and instructor walked away from the aircraft unscathed and were transported back to Tamworth by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
“The aircraft experienced a flight control restriction and an emergency was declared,” Gunnedah Duty Officer, Inspector Paul Johnson said.
“RAAF, AusSar, NSW Police, Westpac Rescue Helictoper, and the Ambulance Service were informed.”
It is understood the plane’s steering malfunctioned.
“The reason for it to land rectified upon landing, and it became functional again,”Inspector Johnson said.
“It is believed no damage was occasioned to the aircraft upon landing in the field.
“AusSar has assumed control of the investigation and mechanics are on route to assess the aircraft in order for it to be recovered.”
The pilot officer and flight lieutenant took off from Tamworth Airport on a training flight across the region at about 8.45am on Tuesday.
The aircraft had been flying for less than an hour before something went wrong.
The Department of Defence released a statement confirming the crew were safe and well after landing in a field.
“The Royal Australian Air Force has commenced an investigation after a CT-4B basic training aircraft from Tamworth conducted a precautionary landing near Gunnedah, NSW,” it said.
“RAAF is making plans to recover the aircraft to support the investigation.”
