Plane makes emergency landing at Newcastle airport after landing gear fails

By Giselle Wakatama, ABC News

A light plane has made what appears to be a textbook landing during an emergency at Australia’s Newcastle airport.

Emergency crews were on standby after the pilot reported the plane’s landing gear had failed just before 10am (local time).

It had been circling above for more than two hours before it made the landing at 12.18pm.

The engine appeared to power down as it approached the runway and touched down, eventually sliding to a stop.

There were loud cheers from crowds that had lined the airport fence to watch.

Ambulances and fire trucks raced to the stricken aircraft before the occupants were seen walking from the plane.

It is understood the Beechcraft Super King Air operated by Eastern Air Services was 10 minutes into its flight to Port Macquarie when the problem was detected.

It is believed three people were on board.

More than a dozen fire, police, SES and ambulance crews were on scene, with an operations room set up in the adjoining Williamtown RAAF base.

Eastern Air Pty Ltd, operating as Eastern Air Services, is headquartered in Port Macquarie.

It operates primarily in New South Wales and Queensland, with regularly scheduled flights using its fleet of turboprop aircraft.

These include scenic flights to Lord Howe Island, including whale-watching flights, as well as freight services.

– ABC