Seaplane In Sugarcane Field

A Turtle Airways plane was forced to land in a sugarcane field in Lautoka yesterday morning after suffering an engine malfunction.

Turtle Airways acting accountable manager Ian Gill said at about 10.30am yesterday, a DHC2 Beaver aircraft, DQ-REJ suffered an engine malfunction during a flight from the Yasawa Islands to Nadi.

Mr Gill said the pilot conducted a successful forced landing in a cane field behind the University of Fiji at Saweni.

“The four passengers and the pilot were uninjured. The passengers were airlifted by helicopter to Nadi,” he said.

“The aircraft appears to be undamaged. The cause of the incident is yet to be determined and Turtle Airways Ltd is co-operating with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji in their investigations.”

When the Fiji Sun arrived at the scene yesterday, the area had been cordoned off and police and airport authorities were inspecting the plane.

Saweni residents said they were shocked when the seaplane came from the Lautoka City side and landed in the sugarcane field.

A resident preferring anonymity said the four passengers in the plane looked as if they were in a state of shock when they came out of the aircraft.

“A helicopter quickly came and took the four passengers while the pilot was still here for some time before he also left,” he said.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the passengers luckily escaped without any serious injuries. Ms Naisoro said the pilot also escaped unharmed.

Edited by Percy Kean