Light aircraft experiences engine failure, glides over residential rooftops before safe emergency landing on its belly

A pilot and passenger were safe after their light plane crashed in Australia. The Cessna plane lost power during the flight on Sunday, so the pilot had to make a mayday call. They managed to glide the plane back home, narrowly avoiding houses in suburban Sydney.

The plane was seen in footage from Nine News getting very close to trees and buildings as the pilot tried to bring the aircraft to Bankstown Airport in Sydney's southwest.

Pilot Jake Swanepoel told Nine News, "The plane was gliding without any power. We hit the trees and barely cleared the hangar."

Swanepoel successfully landed the plane on an airport taxiway, coming to a stop on its belly.

In an interview with Nine News, Swanepoel explained that he decided to retract the landing gear because the plane was flying so low that he was concerned it might hit the roofs of nearby houses during the tense landing.

Ground staff rushed to help, but Swanepoel and his partner Karin emerged from the plane without any injuries. Karin shared with Nine News, "We didn't expect to land on this strip."

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau informed CNN that they are collecting more details about the landing before determining if an investigation will be conducted.

That would include seeking a report from the pilot, who’s been flying for 29 years, according to Nine News.

The Cessna plane skimmed across homes and treetops in Sydney's southwest suburb.

The Cessna plane skimmed across homes and treetops in Sydney's southwest suburb.

Nine News

It was frightening and stressful for Karin as she thought about all the houses while landing on the runway.

When asked how they planned to celebrate reaching the runway, Swanepoel humorously replied, "We won't do anything special, just be grateful to be alive."

Editor's P/S:

The incident highlighted the remarkable skill and composure of the pilot, Jake Swanepoel, who managed to avert a potentially catastrophic outcome. His quick thinking and decisive actions prevented the plane from crashing into residential areas, potentially saving lives. The fact that he and his passenger, Karin, emerged unscathed is a testament to his expertise and the plane's durability.

This incident also underscores the importance of regular maintenance and inspections of aircraft. The Cessna plane had reportedly lost power during the flight, raising questions about its overall condition. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's investigation into the landing will likely shed light on the cause of the power failure and determine whether any further safety measures are necessary.