A young trainee pilot has been described as "a very lucky young man" after surviving a dramatic crash where his light aircraft hit the runway and caught fire at a major Adelaide airport.
The Incident at Parafield Airport
The frightening event unfolded at Parafield Airport in Adelaide's north around 12.30pm on Monday. The 21-year-old student was conducting just his third solo flight at the time. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the pilot was performing circuit training and attempting a touch-and-go manoeuvre when the sequence went badly wrong.
"They've bounced heavily on their first go of touching down the runway," explained ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell. "Then, in that sequence of trying to then lift off and apply power, there's been insufficient airspeed." Mitchell stated that this loss of airspeed caused the aircraft's left wing to stall, dropping down and impacting the runway surface.
A Miraculous Escape from the Wreckage
In a remarkable display of composure, the pilot managed to extract himself from the damaged aircraft and move to a safe distance approximately 30 seconds after the ground collision. Shortly after his escape, the aircraft was engulfed in flames and ultimately destroyed.
Despite the terrifying ordeal, the young aviator emerged physically unscathed. Demonstrating notable resilience, he told reporters he felt "lucky" and expressed a strong desire to continue flying. "I just want to practice more and fly better and next time will be better," he said. While saddened by the loss of the plane he had logged around 20 hours in, his focus remained forward: "I just want to move on, just want to learn more."
ATSB Investigation and Broader Safety Context
The ATSB has confirmed it is investigating the crash. Commissioner Mitchell succinctly summarised the outcome as involving a "very fortunate student pilot, less so fortunate owner of the aircraft." Investigators will examine the aircraft wreckage and gather details on the pilot's experience and the factors leading to the critical loss of airspeed.
Mitchell highlighted that such incidents, while alarming, are not isolated. The ATSB sees around 20 incidents and accidents annually involving student pilots on solo flights, acknowledging the inherent risk level presented by these early solo operations. The bureau is continuing to gather information to determine the full scope of its investigation into this Parafield event.
