Rushane Claasen- Algoa FM
Three people had a lucky escape when a light aircraft made an emergency landing on a street in Algoa Park in Gqeberha on Thursday afternoon, startling residents in a surrounding block of flats.
Police said that the 75-year-old pilot "alleged that the aircraft was low on fuel" and he was forced to make an emergency landing on Ysterhout Street.
"Unfortunately a pothole and speed bump in the road caused the aircraft to swerve and hit a lamp post.
"The aircraft wings and tail section were damaged in the incident," said police spokesperson, Captain Andre' Beetge.
He said the pilot and two male passengers, aged 33 and 43, were not injured, while no one on the ground was affected by the "landing incident."
One of the first people on the scene was Marius Minnie from EC Towing, who lives in Dolfyn Flats on the street corner where the plane went down.
“We heard a big bang. I arrived with my breakdown, I was first on the scene then Guardmed (ambulance) after me to assist with any patients,” he told reporters.
Minnie said the pilot and two passengers emerged unscathed, but he said they were in shock.
Police and emergency services rushed to the scene where a large group gathered to gawk at the unusual sight on a suburban road.
According to one bystander, the aircraft's tail broke off when it hit the pole.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is expected to investigate the cause of the crash.
