Pilot taken to hospital after light aircraft collision near Rochester Airport
A pilot has been taken to hospital after a crash landing near an airport.
The incident, which involved a four-seater Piper PA-28, happened on Rochester Road near Walderslade[1], between the Bridgewood Roundabout and Laker Road.
Police attended the scene shortly before 12.30pm along with two fire engines and ambulance crews.
No injuries have been reported and the only occupant of the aircraft, the pilot, has been taken to a local hospital as a precaution.
The plane took off from Lydd Airport and was on its way to Rochester Airport.
It was recovered from bushes at the roadside shortly after 5pm and has reportedly been written off.
Rochester Airport confirmed to KentOnline an incident had taken place “just past the airport” which will now be subject to an investigation.
It has been reported to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
A spokesman for Kent Police said: “Kent Police was called at 12.28pm on Wednesday 14 August 2024, to a report of a light aircraft collision near Rochester City Airport.
“The plane came to a stop inside a wooded area near Rochester Road.”
A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: “We are aware of an incident in Rochester, Kent.
“The accident will be investigated by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, and we will offer them help and support in any way we can.”
Rochester Road was closed in both directions with officers redirecting traffic while emergency services were at the scene.
A specialist aircraft recovery unit arrived at about 4.30pm and began removing the plane from the bushes.
Within an hour it had been placed on a recovery truck and taken away, and the road reopened shortly after 6pm.
A spokesperson for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “Crews assessed and treated the pilot at the scene before taking them to Medway Maritime Hospital for further medical treatment.”
In October 2022, a light aircraft that took off from Rochester Airport crashed in Blue Bell Hill[2] after losing power.
It was stuck in dense woodland for more than four hours before the pilot and passenger were rescued.
References
- ^ Walderslade (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ light aircraft that took off from Rochester Airport crashed in Blue Bell Hill (www.kentonline.co.uk)