Beech Duchess Makes Emergency Landing In A Field In New South Wales

The pilot of a Beechcraft Duchess airplane says he was forced to restrain an 82-year-old passenger during a flight when the passenger tried to grab the airplane's controls.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the 23-year-old pilot was flying the older man on a charter Monday afternoon local time when he began grabbing at the controls. Acting Inspector Gareth Smith told the paper that the passenger was "turning off fuel lines and turning buttons randomly on and off" during the flight. The pilot said he had to "restrain" the passenger to keep control of the airplane.

The pilot, who was not named but works for Sydney-based Australia by Air, eventually made a "pan-pan" distress call and made a wheels-up landing in a field near Oberon in New South Wales. Neither suffered serious injuries, but the passenger was taken to a hospital with head and facial injuries he possibly suffered in the scuffle with the pilot.

Police said they have not yet had a chance to talk to the passenger to determine if his erratic behavior might have been caused by a medical condition. Australia by Air said in a statement that the pilot "demonstrated excellent airmanship and skill during the landing, and we thank him for his professionalism." The pilot was taken to a hospital, treated for a leg injury, and released. Police said he was also treated for shock.

(Beechcraft Duchess pictured in file photo. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.atsb.gov.au