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Drama as light aircraft nosedives at Hoylake beach There was drama tonight at Hoylake promenade when a fixed-wing micro-light aircraft landed on the beach and nosedived into the sand, smashing off its front wheel.The pilot was unharmed and told the Globe it was a planned and deliberate landing, but his wheels became engulfed in soft sand.
Police, fire, coastguard and ambulance personnel were out in force on the prom while the police helicopter hovered above. Scores of people had gathered to watch.
An ambulanceman said the pilot, who is a member of the Ince Flying Club which operates from Blundellsands airfield, was slightly shocked but in no danger and did not need hospital treatment.
The alarm was first raised by Hoylake Lifeboat crew, who were taking part in a regular training excercise at around 6.30pm.
An eye witness said: "I saw the aircraft coming in and it looked to be travelling quite fast. It touched down then sort of jack-knifed and nosedived into the sands.
"I've never seen anything like it. I think the guy is lucky to be alive."
The 48-year-old pilot, who would not be named, said: "I'd meant to land there. We're allowed to land on the shoreline.
"But as I soon as I touched down, the nose wheel snapped off and I was stuck. I'm actually fine."
Hoylake lifeboat's tractor crew were towing the plane back to the promenade and a rig from Ince Flying Club was on its way to take the stricken craft back to the airfield.
The pilot was recovering from his ordeal in the crew room of Hoylake lifeboat station.
A coastguard spokesman stressed aircraft were only allowed to land on the beach if it was an emergency.
THE GLOBE