Pilot escapes seaplane f lip in harbour
The pilot of a seaplane has made it out safely after it crashed and flipped on the harbour in central Auckland.
Police were called to the crash shortly before 11am yesterday. The De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, operated by scenic flights company Auckland Seaplanes, was floating upside down. The pilot was the sole occupant.
Graham Mearns and Sue Roberts were cruising on the Waitemata¯ in their boat when they got a ‘‘bit of a shock’’ as the seaplane came crashing down close by.
‘‘We were just coming up the harbour and going about six knots when the plane came right over the top of us and he just went down,’’ Mearns said.
‘‘He started to skim on the water and the front of the float dug in and the top kept going.’’
Mearns said it looked like the plane was underwater up to the cockpit.
The pilot, who seemed like a ‘‘youngster’’, climbed out and swam to a nearby boat, Mearns said. ‘‘He climbed onto the boat himself and seemed OK.’’
A Sealink ferry was one of the boats on the scene.
A spokesperson said a crew member went up on deck with a life ring but the pilot had already swum to safety.
Police shift commander Kai Shao said the pilot was well and being treated by St John staff.
There were no fuel leaks in the water, he said.
The next step would be to remove the aircraft from the water and assess it.
St John Ambulance spokeswoman Beverly Tse said the pilot did not need to go to hospital.
Auckland Seaplanes chief executive Chris Sattler said the incident occurred at about 10.50am near the company’s base.
‘‘The pilot, the only person on board, extracted safely and the aircraft is now in the process of being recovered.
‘‘We are working closely with CAA to first discover why this happened. Flying operations are on hold in the meantime.’’
Sattler thanked the local boat and ferry operators who provided assistance. The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust helicopter was also deployed.
Fire and Emergency spokesman Paul Radden said the plane crashed approximately 200 metres offshore.
Witness Ash Salter was in the Wynyard Quarter when he noticed the seaplane banking sharply to the right.
The former aircraft controller said he tended to notice planes, particularly ones doing unusual things.
‘‘It caught my attention and then disappeared behind a building.’’
Salter said he later heard sirens and a helicopter.
Another witness said he could see an aircraft upside down in the harbour and many boats heading towards it to assist.
Auckland Seaplanes’ website shows it offers scenic flights, including around Rangitoto Island, Auckland City, the wider Hauraki Gulf, bays of the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea.
‘‘Whether looking to experience an exhilarating water take off and landing, ticking off a seaplane flight off your bucket list or wanting to explore the landscapes found nowhere else in the world, we have you covered,’’ it reads.