Engine Failure Forces Aircraft to Land in Field on South Downs

A pilot escaped without injury after a light aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on the South Downs near Saltdean this afternoon. The single-engine plane a Yakovlev Yak-52 departed Henstridge Airfield, near Wincanton in Somerset, at around 11.43am and was heading for the Netherlands on a delivery flight. But shortly after crossing the […]

A pilot escaped without injury after a light aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing on the South Downs near Saltdean this afternoon.

The single-engine plane a Yakovlev Yak-52 departed Henstridge Airfield, near Wincanton in Somerset, at around 11.43am and was heading for the Netherlands on a delivery flight. But shortly after crossing the Sussex coast, the aircraft appeared to run into trouble.

Residents in Peacehaven reported hearing the aircraft “stuttering” overhead, and live flight data showed the plane making an abrupt U-turn over Newhaven before losing altitude.

The aircraft eventually touched down in a field close to Falmer Road, Rottingdean, where it came to a safe stop despite the engine failure.

Danny Butler, who was one of the first to reach the aircraft, told Sussex News the pilot was shaken but unharmed. He was sitting on the wing eating sandwiches and drinking his coffee. “He was absolutely fine. The first thing he said was, ‘Suppose I should call the wife really!’”

The plane’s owner, Jez Hopkinson, confirmed it had been on a routine ferry flight to the Netherlands when the engine cut out unexpectedly, leaving the pilot with no option but to glide down onto the Downs.

Emergency services responded quickly. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called at 12.31pm to reports of a light aircraft down in a field.

A spokesperson said:
“Our crews were sent to Falmer Road, Rottingdean. Firefighters made contact with the pilot, who was uninjured, and the scene has been made safe. Additional crews travelling to the incident have now been stood down.”

The aircraft remains in the field while arrangements are made for its recovery. An investigation into the engine failure is expected to follow.