A pilot survived after a light aircraft crashed onto a beach in Hampshire on Saturday. The incident occurred at Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport, at approximately 4.15pm.
According to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, the pilot had exited the aircraft before firefighters arrived and was subsequently assessed by the ambulance service. HM Coastguard confirmed the pilot was the only person on board and had been able to self-recover to the beach.
Witness Ellie Chapman described the scene to the Southern Daily Echo: “I was by the beach looking at the free books when I heard a loud crashing sound from the rocks. When I turned around, the plane was already in the water, with the tail briefly lifted before it dropped down, suggesting it had gone in nose first.”
Chapman added: “I saw the pilot crawl out into the water, and people helped him on to the rocks. Everyone looked stunned, some rushed over to help while others stood in shock, myself included.”
Firefighters worked to winch the aircraft from the sea, and Hampshire Police were keeping it secure until it could be recovered. The coastguard said Hamble Lifeboat, a coastguard helicopter and an air ambulance also attended the scene.
