Plane crashes trying to land at airport
A 73-year-old man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after his plane crashed while trying to land.
Emergency services were called to Jandakot Airport, in Perth’s south, about 1.15pm on Friday when the VH-POR De Havilland Chipmunk crashed.
About seven fire trucks attended the scene.
The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the plane, was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with serious injuries, WA Police said in a statement.
Officers from WA Police, St John Ambulance WA, Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services assisted at the scene.
Another pilot who witnessed the crash told The West Australian that the plane appeared to lose power after take-off.
“He had no option. The plane was only tree height when the engine cut out,” he said.
“It just banked trying to turn, and it’s just gone sideways and landed straight on the ground.
“It wasn’t even nose first — it landed just flat.”
The incident will be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
