Sydney: An Australian pilot made an emergency landing after wresting back the controls of his light aircraft from an 82-year-old passenger who grabbed them midflight, the aircraft's charter company said.
Police said the elderly man chartered the small four-seater Beechcraft Duchess plane on Monday for a business trip from the Sydney suburb of Bankstown to Cowra, a distance of about 186 kms (116 miles).
But he began acting erratically midway through the flight, moving to shut down the plane's engines and seizing the control stick, a spokesman for charter company Australia by Air told reporters.
The 23-year-old pilot restrained the passenger and made a distress call before safely landing the plane in a field, police said.
"The pilot displayed excellent airmanship and skill during the landing, and we thank him for his professionalism," the company said in a statement.
Police Inspector Mark Wall said the man was in stable condition in hospital in Sydney, with injuries to his face. The pilot was treated for shock and discharged.
It was not immediately clear what caused the elderly man to attempt to seize the plane. Police say they are investigating the incident.
Police said the elderly man chartered the small four-seater Beechcraft Duchess plane on Monday for a business trip from the Sydney suburb of Bankstown to Cowra, a distance of about 186 kms (116 miles).
But he began acting erratically midway through the flight, moving to shut down the plane's engines and seizing the control stick, a spokesman for charter company Australia by Air told reporters.
"The pilot displayed excellent airmanship and skill during the landing, and we thank him for his professionalism," the company said in a statement.
Police Inspector Mark Wall said the man was in stable condition in hospital in Sydney, with injuries to his face. The pilot was treated for shock and discharged.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2014
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Akasa Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Bhopal For Sick Passenger American Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Passengers Spot Lice In Woman's Hair US Man Asks Flight Attendant For Sex, Opens Plane Door Mid-Air Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests Bengal Health Department Cancels Transfer Order Of 42 Doctors Amid Protests "Illusion": Hamas Official Dismisses US Optimism Over Gaza Ceasefire Talks 2 Killed In West Bank Strike, Israel Says It Targeted "Terrorist Cell'' Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.