Pilot forced to make emergency landing
THE pilot of a light plane has been forced to make an emergency landing at Mt Baw Baw, in the Victorian ski fields, 157km northeast of Melbourne.
Victoria Police said the Cessna with four people on board was on a flight from Merimbula on the NSW south coast to Essendon airport in Melbourne, when it ran into trouble about 6pm (AEST) today.
The pilot brought the plane down in a remote area 6km east of the Mt Baw Baw township.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Sheree Argento said a search and rescue team was on the way to the area, but it is believed all those on board the plane escaped serious injury.
She said bad weather could delay their rescue tonight and they may be forced to spend the night in the plane.
“We’ve got members assisting the police search and rescue heading up to see if they can rescue these people overnight,” Ms Argento told Southern Cross Radio.
“Unfortunately, the weather conditions there are quite bad so they are going to have to assess the situation when they arrive and decide whether or not it is going to be safe to attempt to rescue them,” Ms Argento said.
“Otherwise these people may have to spend the night on board the aircraft.” It is unclear what caused the emergency landing.