A 23-year-old Tennyson pilot was forced to make an emergency landing last Monday afternoon, August 25, in Oberon after his passenger tried to take control of the light aircraft.
The plane left Bankstown Airport about 2pm.
Fairfax Media reported that the passenger had booked the Beech 76 fixed-wing aircraft to fly him to Cowra, but mid-flight he allegedly tried to take over the controls of the plane, shutting down the engine twice.
‘‘The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in a paddock,’’ Inspector Mark Wall from Chifley police said.
The plane landed in a paddock on Titania Road.
The passenger, 82-year-old Baptist minister Rev Les Nixon, was taken to Westmead Hospital where he was treated for head and facial injuries.
He has been charged with prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft.
Mr Chandler was taken to Oberon Hospital to be treated for shock.
Police said the passenger’s injuries were not a result of the landing.
Basair Aviation College managing director David Trevelyan said Mr Chandler showed fantastic skill and did an excellent job under tremendous pressure. Mr Nixon will face Parramatta Local Court on September 29.
