Two people have escaped serious injury after a light aircraft landed on a Mona Vale Golf Course on Sunday afternoon, August 17.
The forced landing happened during a training flight just after 2pm on Sunday, with an instructor pilot and student on board.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has confirmed the aircraft was a Piper Cherokee.
Mona Vale Golf Course stated via instagram:
''Not your average day on the golf course!
At 2:20pm today, a light plane made an emergency landing on our course. We’re relieved to share that both people on board walked away without serious injury.
A huge credit goes to the pilot for an incredible landing that avoided greater harm, and a heartfelt thank you to the members and patrons who rushed to help without hesitation. Moments like these remind us of the strength and spirit of our community.''
Aerial footage shows the plane on the course at Mona Vale Golf Club, with visible damage to a wing, and it appears the wheels have come off.
NSW Ambulance said the pair, aged in their 50s, were treated onsite by paramedics for minor injuries, before being taken to Royal North Shore Hospital for further assessment.
One suffered minor facial injuries and both were treated onsite by paramedics.
Authorities said the cause of the crash landing was unknown at this stage, but it may have been due to possible engine trouble.
A at nearby Kitchener Park watching a soccer game when the plane came down.
"I was talking to another lady and we just saw the plane come up from the south, and then head back down to the south, and then come back up to the north and dip its wings," she told the ABC.
"I'm a lifesaver, I'm in the area, I don't know if I have to go and help, I thought there were mass casualties."
Information from Flight Tracker shows the aircraft took off from Shellharbour near Wollongong this afternoon and made a stop in Camden before continuing the flight north.
The ATSB said it was gathering evidence about the forced landing, and would conduct a formal investigation.
Photos: MVGC/via Instagram
The emergency landing is not the first our area has seen.
On November 21st 1944 Captain "Jimmy" Broadbent, of Point Piper, a famous Australian airman was piloting the plane which made a forced landing on Narrabeen Beach.
In February 1926 a plane conducting joy flights from Palm Beach flipped when it hit bumps in the sand.
Upended plane at Palm Beach PALM BEACH EXCITEMENT (1926, February 15). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 10 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224060139
PLANE NOSE DIVES.
On Palm Beach.
OCCUPANTS' LUCKY ESCAPE.
As it was about to land, an aeroplane, in which Captain E. W. Percival was conducting passenger flights at Palm Beach yesterday, nosedived into the sand. The pilot and two lady passengers escaped injury. Damage to the machine was estimated at several hundreds of pounds.
Captain Percival was about to taxi along this stretch on the completion of a flight when a boy ran across the path of the 'plane. The pilot skilfully raised the machine, and flew well clear of the boy's head.
Just as the 'plane made a re-descent it struck loose sand, into which the nose dipped, throwing the body of the machine almost upright.
Captain Percival drew himself clear and assisted the ladies to alight. No sooner were they free than the 'plane toppled over. 'PLANE NOSEDIVES. (1926, February 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16273960
Although in those incidents everyone escaped injury this was not the case after a plane came down at Harbord in 1935 - that pilot having already been in a forced emergency landing shortly beforehand:
AEROPLANE IN SEA Mishap at Narrabeen FAILED TO TAKE OFF
SYDNEY, Sunday. The pilot and his observer had a narrow escape from serious injury to-day when an aeroplane nose-dived into several feet of water. Ernest Victor Collibee, the pilot, was in charge of a shark patrol machine, and had been in the air for more than two hours, when the engine overheated. He looked for a suitable place to land. In spite of the soft, bumpy sand, he was able to make a splendid landing at Narrabeen. An inspection revealed that a piece of the cowling had broken away. After the motor had cooled down, the pilot attempted to take off, but sand clung to the wheels, and the aeroplane failed to rise. An incoming wave struck the machine, and it nose-dived into a channel containing several feet of water. Beyond a ducking, the pilot and observer were none the worse for their experience. AEROPLANE IN SEA (1935, March 18). Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136845521
And then he crashed again:
Aeroplane Crash At Harbord
Yesterday the 2UW-McWilliams surf patrol 'plane crashed at Harbord. Pilot Ernie Collibee and his passenger. Jack Harrison, were seriously hurl. Pilot Collibee was attempting to make a forced landing owing to engine trouble, and the engine completely cut-out when 50 feet from the ground, and then nose-dived. The picture shows the 'plane as she crashed, with the wings badly smashed. On the left is Pilot Collibee, the photo, having been taken only on Saturday afternoon specially for 'The Labor Daily
BEACH 'PLANE CRASH; MEN BADLY HURT
INTO THE SCRUB AT HARBORD
SERIOUSLY injuring its two occupants, the pilot, Ernest V. Collibee, 30, of Hopetoun Avenue, Vaucluse, and a city advertising man, John Harrison, of Dudley Street, Rosebery, the 2UW.McWilllams beach patrol plane nose-dived-with terrific force into some undergrowth at Harbord at 11.30 a.m, yesterday. Rather' than endanger the lives of a number of children playing in Pfoeffer's Park, where he intended to make a forced landing owing to engine trouble, Collibee steered the 'plane away at the last moment. ' It narrowly- missed some telegraph wires and then crashed.'. A number of residents heard the impact. both' men had an extraordinary escape from death, the 'plane being totally 'wrecked. They were entangled in the wreckage.
Collibee has a probable fracture of the skull, fractured ribs, probable Internal injuries, and a large wound on the top of his had. His companion had his left leg broken in several places, and incised wounds to his chin and right leg.
A crowd gathered quickly, and Constable Baxter of Manly, and Mr. Fennell, of Bennett Street, Harbord, extricated the airmen from twisted woodwork and steel. Despite their injuries, both men were conscious. Manly Ambulance was quickly on the scene.
"I'm sorry, old man," Collibee, who was verging on unconsciousness, kept repeating, to Harrison; "So sorry that this had to happen,"
Somebody asked him what happened, but he was dazed and only shook his head. .
Beforo the injured men were taken to Manly Hospital, Harrison - said:
The first thing I know was when the earth came up to meet me,'?
Collibee's life is In danger, but Harrison's condition Is not considered to' he critical.
Harrison had gone up with Collibee to take some notes of the beach patrol. They had gone from beach to beach on the look-out for sharks.
Chose the Park .
They were flying at a normal altitude in the American Eagle two-seater when the engine spluttered. Collibee apparently picked out the park on which to make a forced landing. The engine was threatening to cut out at any second.
When about 100 feet up he noticed the youngsters frolicking in the park prior to this. People on the beach, seeing that the 'plane was in trouble, feared that the pilot would attempt
a landing there, and hastily left to give him room.
When 50 feet up the engine gave out and nose downward, the 'plane dived into the undergrowth.
The machine's nose buried itself in the ground, splintering the propeller. Both wings were broken off, and the fuselage and tail damaged.
Yesterday's flight was to have been the second last of the season.
During the week-end Collibee reported the presence of several sharks. A large grey-nurse came close in at Curl Curl.
Collibee made a successful forced landing on Narrabeen before on March 17, but, in attempting a takeoff, the machine crashed into the water. He was not injured. Aeroplane Crash At Harbord (1935, April 15). The Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924 - 1938), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236515241
PILOT COLLIBEE IMPROVING.
Ernest Collibee, 30, of Hopetoun-avenue, Vaucluse, who was seriously injured on Sunday when the aeroplane he was piloting crashed at Harbord, is steadily improving in the Manly District Hospital. Five of his ribs were fractured, and he is suffering from ex-tensive lacerations to his head. PILOT COLLIBEE IMPROVING. (1935, April 17). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 23. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17152692
ERNEST COLLIBEE
LISTENERS who have learned to link the name of Mr. Ernest Collibee with the McWilliams-2UW surf patrol 'plane will be pleased to hear that he has now quite recovered from his recent accident and will b: heard over the 2UW microphone' as from June 10. Three weeks spent at South west Rocks has enabled Ern. to quite recover his usual form and he Is returning to the 2UW microphone full of enthusiasm. His many listener friends will no doubt be eager to congratulate him on his very lucky escape. ERNEST COLLIBEE (1935, June 9). Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169340708
'PLANES LANDED ON BEACHES
BOTH ESCAPED DAMAGE AT AVALON, CRONULLA
Two aeroplanes landed on beaches yesterday afternoon. When engine trouble developed over Avalon, the surf patrol 'plane was put down on the sand. The wheels sank, but no damage was done. The 'plane remained overnight.
The other 'plane landed, undamaged, on the beach at North Cronulla, where Mr. Paul Bowie, the pilot, lives. 'PLANES LANDED ON BEACHES (1937, January 17). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), p. 2 (NEWS SECTION). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230797192
Plane on North Avalon Beach, January 1937, photo courtesy Avalon Beach Historical Society
SURF PATROL 'PLANE.
Government Refuses Subsidy.
A letter received by the Surf Life-saving Association from the Minister for Local Government Mr. Spooner stated that the Government, having devoted £20.000 to the cost of meshing for sharks, considered that this would ensure the safety of surf bathers. The request for a subsidy for the aeroplane safety patrol, therefore, could not be acceded to. The annual meeting of the association will be held next Tuesday night at the association's head-quarters, Phillip House, Phillip Street. SURF PATROL 'PLANE. (1937, October 13). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 21. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17416101
Ernest Victor Collibee was born November 12th 1904 in Singleton, New South Wales. He would continue to fly planes into the 1930's, not without incident:
PILOT TO PAY
Plane Damaged in Landing
SYDNEY, Tuesday.
The Kingsford Smith Air Services Ltd. was to-day awarded £400, the full amount claimed against Ernest Victor Collibee, air pilot. The plaintiff company alleged that Collibee had been negligent in the control of an aeroplane he had hired from the company. The plane made a forced landing at Catherine Hill Bay. It was badly damaged. Collibee obtained a stay of proceedings PILOT TO PAY (1939, May 3). The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2499115
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