Pilot safely lands light aircraft on a Durban beach after engine problems
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A pilot has been commended for making a safe emergency landing after the light aircraft he was flying experienced engine problems near Virginia Airport on Saturday.At 11.16 am, the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) was alerted on the early warning network that a light aircraft with two men onboard — an instructor pilot, 28, and a trainee pilot, 18 — was flying a training flight from Pietermaritzburg to Virginia Airport. The aircraft was experiencing engine problems in the vicinity of Virginia Airport and appeared to be unable to make the runway.National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban coxswain Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan said Virginia ATC (Air Traffic Control) was monitoring the pilot, and confirmed that he would not make it to the runway and needed to make an emergency landing on the nearby beach.The ARCC coordinated an emergency response. The SA Police Service, Police Search and Rescue, NSRI Durban, eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, Ensure Security, Netcare 911 ambulanc...