Richards Bay plane beach landing ends safely after NSRI response
The aircraft landed at Long Beach on Sunday afternoon.
A light aircraft that made an emergency landing on a beach north of Richards Bay over the weekend has safely taken off and landed at Richards Bay Airport on Monday morning without incident.
The aircraft landed at Long Beach on Sunday afternoon.
The pilot reportedly suspected contaminated fuel had caused engine trouble.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says attempts to take off on Sunday were abandoned due to soft sand and fading light.
"On arrival on the scene, it was confirmed that the three occupants of the light aircraft, a local male pilot and two passengers male and female, were not injured.
"The pilot had been transported by a good Samaritan to get fuel for the aircraft. Tide times and a high water mark were assessed and the aircraft appeared to be in a safe above the high water mark on the beach.
"On returning to the aircraft, the pilot refuelled the aircraft and attempts were made to take off from the beach and with nightfall it was deemed safer to wait on low tide on Monday."
Aircraft grounded overnight due to tide, sand and visibility conditions
Attempts to take off on Sunday were abandoned due to soft sand and fading light, with officials assessing tide movements and beach conditions before approving a safe departure window.
NSRI expands rescue operations amid severe weather conditions in KZN and Western Cape
Last week, NSRI rescued 23 farm workers and family members trapped on rooftops between Worcester and Rawsonville.
Heavy rains battered the province, with some areas being under an Orange Level 6 warning.
Lambinon says the group, including children, spent the night stranded before they were evacuated in a relay operation on Wednesday.
“Using ladders, the casualties, including toddlers, children, adults, the elderly, as well as one blind man and one paraplegic man and domestic animals were evacuated to safety in relays using the flotation of the NSRI rescue craft.
Lambinon says the rescue crew, comprising Provincial Traffic Services and an EMS Metro Rescue squad, worked tirelessly despite challenging conditions.”
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