Pilot Attempted Off-Airport Landing, Is Unhurt

A replica Albatros airplane made an unsuccessful attempt of an off-airport landing in the U.K. after experiencing engine problems last Thursday, but the pilot escaped unhurt, according to reports.

Hours before the accident, the airplane had taken part in a ceremony in France at the 100th anniversary of the battle of Somme. It was one of two aircraft taking part in a poppy drop that was witnessed by Prince Charles in Longueval in northern France marking the centennial of New Zealand's participation in the battle.

On returning to the U.K., the plane experienced an engine failure. The pilot attempted to land in a field, but the landing gear snagged a fence and flipped the aircraft over onto its back.

The U.K. newspaper The Independent reports that the plane went down in a field in Bethersden, which is near Ashford, Kent in the U.K.

An ambulance responded to the scene, but the pilot was not injured. The Air Accident Investigations Branch will look into the accident.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/air-accidents-investigation-branch