A light plane has crashed on arrival at Parafield Airport in Adelaide’s north, briefly catching alight in a grass fire, prompting the temporary closure of one runway as authorities begin their investigation.
Emergency services were called to the airport at around 12.30 PM on Monday, after a report that a small aircraft had landed at the airport.
According to the South Australian Police, the pilot is the only person on board was unharmed with no other aircraft involved.
According to the police, there appeared to be some impact on landing followed by a fire in the plane.
A spokesperson for South Australian Police stated, “it is believed that it landed heavily and then caught fire after impact.” The fire reached some of the adjacent grass but was thereafter controlled.
According to the Metropolitan Fire Service, a total of 13 firefighters were used to control the fire which was limited to about 15 minutes, covering around 3,500 square meters of grass inside the airport perimeter. The plane was left fire damaged at the site.
Parafield Airport reported that runway 21L was still closed following the incident, with the other three runways remaining open.
Parafield Airport said that it was working with emergency services and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, who had been notified and were considering next steps.
It seems they are still trying to gather additional information as to whether or not they’re going to open an investigation.
However, the South Australia Police confirmed the investigation is underway, although the specifics regarding the type of air transport involved in the heavy landing as well as the events that preceded the incident have not yet come to light.
Although Parafield Airport does not service a typical passenger plane, it remains one of Australia’s busiest general aviation areas operate on the northern side of Adelaide.
The airport also locates its role in being a hub for the local economy in regards to the northern suburbs.
The fast facts webpage of Parafield Airport states that airport related activity contributed approximately $354.8 million in 2022 alone.
A prolonged shutdown of Parafield Airport runway would cause spill over effects on training circuits, maintenance flight test flights and flying school schedules.
Firstly the event presents several issues to those responsible for the regulation of airline flying in Australia.
Specifically it is part of the debate concerning the volume of training carried out to produce Australia pilots.
Also the ATSB tends to concentrate on the factors of the occurrence rather than point fingers, while the aviation authority regulates the requirements relating to flying.
Parafield Airport stated that the closure of runway 21L was extended into Monday, with the other runways operational.
