NSW: Pittwater crash pilot was practising landings - witness

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2008
NSW: Pittwater crash pilot was practising landings - witness

By Kim Christian

SYDNEY, Feb 19 AAP - The pilot of an ultralight aircraft which crashed into the water
off Pittwater in northern Sydney today was practising take-offs and landings, according
to an eyewitness.

Lindsay Wellings from marine services company Palm Beach Marine said the aircraft stalled
and hit the water hard off Stokes Point at Careel Bay about 9.30am (AEDT).

The pilot was uninjured in the crash.

"He was doing practice take off and landings and was landing and had a bit of a malfunction
and it tipped into the water," Mr Wellings told AAP.

"He came down fairly hard and stalled it.

"He was only seven metres off the water when he crashed."

Mr Wellings said the fuselage of the plane was extensively damaged but the pilot, Graham
(second name unknown), who was wearing a helmet and protective gear, was able to escape.

"We saw him come out okay and people from Palm Beach Marine came out and picked him up," he said.

He was aged in his late 20s or early 30s, Mr Wellings said.

The weather was fine at the time.

Water police took the pilot to a waiting ambulance for examination and he was later released.

The plane was salvaged by a crane barge sent by Palm Beach Marine and taken to Paradise
Bay Marina for repairs.

AAP krc/sg/wjf/sco/de

KEYWORD: PLANE NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)

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