Pilot survives light aircraft crash off Porthcawl coast, investigation launched
A light aircraft crashed into the sea off the coast of south Wales near Porthcawl, Bridgend, prompting the HM Coastguard to respond to the incident on Tuesday morning. The pilot managed to make it to dry land after the crash, which occurred around 9:20am. The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed that one individual was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
Margaret Kendrick, a local resident, witnessed the aircraft upside down in the water from her window. She recalled seeing a red shape and mentioned that another person nearby had seen the plane descending. Kendrick noted the fortunate landing location, as the pilot was extremely close to the rocks. She said, “The pilot walked away apparently, he was so close to the rocks – I thought I was seeing things.”
James Brown, a 75-year-old retired church minister, was walking on Lock’s Common when he saw the plane crash. Brown heard the aircraft’s engine “stutter” before it “swooped” into the water. He described the incident as “a very near miss” and believed that the outcome would have been different if the pilot had landed on the nearby rocks.
Chris Page from the RNLI expressed relief that the pilot was safely recovered upon their arrival at the scene. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is aware of the incident and has launched an investigation.
