Media Release
Emergency landing Laura
Eight people are counting their blessings tonight and are thankful of the skills of their pilot after an aircraft emergency this afternoon..jpg)
Around 3.17 a Cessna 402 aircraft took off from the Laura Airport en-route to Cairns. The plane contained a 46-year-old female pilot and eight passengers from various State Government Departments, the Cooktown Council and Cape York Land Council who were in Laura for the opening of the Laura Sports Centre.
Minutes into the flight the pilot noticed smoke filling the cockpit and cabin and decided to return to Laura airport. On activating the landing gear the pilot found that only the left wheels have extended leaving the front wheels and the right rear wheels locked in the up position.
She successfully landed the plane on the dirt strip. The plane sustained extensive damage to the right propeller, right wing and undercarriage but luckily no one was injured.
The passengers were all evacuated to the local pub and were examined as a precaution by staff from the Laura Clinic. They have all since been transported back to Cairns.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was advised.
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