A private aircraft which was visiting the Isle of Wight has crash-landed upside down at Sandown Airport this afternoon (Saturday).
The aeroplane came to land at around 13:40 when emergency services were alerted to the unusual incident.
Crews from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service are on scene as well as paramedics and police.
UPDATE @ 14:45 – The private plane, a STARLET SA500, is believed to have been visiting the Island for a day trip when the pilot made the stop at Sandown Airport.
Fire crews are on scene dowsing the single-seater aircraft to ensure any potential fuel spill does not result in a blaze.
It has been said that a safe landing was initially made; however, soon after, a strong gust of wind took hold of the plane’s wing and flipped it.
The emergency is not as extreme as once thought, with police and fire crews already standing down.
Island Echo understands that the pilot suffered minor injuries, including cuts and bruising.
UPDATE @ 15:09 – A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has said:
“We were called at 13:46 by the ambulance service reporting that a light aircraft had overturned after landing at Sandown Airport.”
It has been confirmed that the pilot sustained minor injuries.
UPDATE @ 17:00 – Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, who were at the airfield, said a crew from Shanklin was dispatched to the scene at 13:40.
Island Echo can now confirm that the pilot exited the aircraft without help, with a spokesperson for the fire service saying:
“The pilot had exited the aircraft prior to our arrival, and was assessed by the ambulance service.”
Crews returned to the station shortly after at 14:50 after making the scene safe.
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Is this upside down thing spreading? First it’s random cars wheels up all over the place, and now we have planes following suit.. Should we be concerned?
I take it such persons are authorised to fly!
Many motorists seem to drive around the island with no licence
no insurance or no mot, does anyone check pilots for their
licences etc.
For such a small place crime is rife.
Zzzzzz
Have a read
It states after a safe landing a gust of wind flipped the aeroplane
I think Davimel was making a humourous and rather clever link between cars and now planes turning turtle. Also, have another read and you’ll see the opening sentence claimed the plane ‘crash-landed’ upside down, then contradicted the opening statement a few pars on.
Yes, the editor should have a word with his subs (ho, ho).
@IoJ: private flying is very heavily regulated and inspected. You have to distinguish between incompetence and accident.
Indeed, we seem to have a lot of Australian drivers, and now a pilot, what next, whitelink coming in propeller side up?
You clearly have no idea in what’s involved in maintaining a PPL. so why make stupid comments .
Pssst…. (whispers) it was a joke…. try a sense of humour transplant.