Pilot's bold emergency landing at Wagga Wagga airport caught on camera
A pilot has performed a brave belly landing in his light aircraft at Wagga Wagga after his landing gear failed.
The pilot of the Cessna 2-10, Rusty Crane, diverted to Wagga Wagga after his gear failed to properly deploy. The pilot had set out from Naracoorte.
"[It's known to be a good reliable plane, a safe plane," Mr Crane said.
"I can't disagree. I'm still here."
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority said he decided to divert to Wagga Wagga because its airfield offered a safer environment for the risky manoeuvre.
After circling to burn off fuel, Mr Crane's plane touched down in the grass at the Wagga Wagga airport in New South Wales’ south east.
Video of the landing was uploading to Wagga Wagga police’s Facebook page, showing plumes of dust as the aircraft came safely to Earth.
The pilot was the only person aboard. He was not hurt, despite the spectacular scenes.
The video shows what appears to part of the plane’s landing gear dangling beneath the fuselage as it approaches the airport.
Emergency services were called to the scene but were not needed.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has not yet decided if it will investigate the incident.
