The aircraft pranged at Garden Farm Golf Centre is Hotel November, a two-seater Cessna 152 trainer. This aircraft has a more than 40-year history at the Hong Kong Aviation Club and has seen countless student pilots do their first solo flight, including Buzz’s Editor (1983).
The pilot in command was Alex Yan, perhaps the longest serving Club president. He was examining an overseas pilot seeking a Hong Kong flying licence. Hotel November suffered a mechanical problem in the Tolo Harbour area. The propellor stopped. The aircraft was now a glider, going down. Alex took control. He would have followed the procedure practised over and over again by Club pilots. Trim the aircraft for best glide speed, about 60 knots in the little Cessna. Mayday call. Troubleshoot. Try to get the engine going again. If unsuccessful, select a landing field and if possible head into wind. Choose a 1000ft point from which to start final approach.
Little trainers can be landed at very slow speed, 50 knots with flap or even a bit less. Clearly Alex had the aircraft under control and it landed at a slow speed in the trees, which was why they were able to walk away.
Residents of the area are accustomed to light aircraft, going quiet suddenly over Tolo Harbour. They see the planes glide down silently towards them. Then at about 500ft the pilot will usually apply power and climb away. It is illegal to fly lower than 500ft near any habitation. In these cases which happen almost every weekend when the weather is good and the People’s Liberation Army has allowed the Club to fly (they operate out of Sek Kong base) what residents see is the pilots practising engine failure and forced landing. That area is so often used because of the large tract of land owned by Sai Hung Kai Properties.
In this case, it happened for real. The pilots walked away, but a much loved aircraft may never fly again.
Be the first to comment