Pilot saved 5 parachutists after engine failure

A PILOT and five parachutists escaped uninjured when their plane crashed off a Perthshire airfield runway, after its engine failed at 3,000ft in January, investigators report today.

The Cessna 206 Super Skywagon aircraft crashlanded off a runway on Strathallan Airfield

The Cessna 206 Super Skywagon went through a fence and hedge at the end of the runway at Strathallan before stopping.

The incident happened as the single-engine plane was climbing at 115mph in preparation to drop the parachutists, the Department for Transport’s air accidents investigation branch said.

Its report stated: “As the aircraft reached 3,000ft, there was a sudden loss of engine power and increase in vibration, which was followed by oil appearing on the windscreen.

“With vision still possible through the left side of the windscreen, and having adopted a glide approach for a power-off landing, the pilot advised the parachutists to remain on board as he considered this the safest option considering their relatively low height.”

The 55-year-old pilot landed halfway down the damp runway and had turned right on to grass in an attempt to stop quicker.

Those on board escaped unassisted but the propeller and the front of the aircraft were 
damaged.