Live: Plane makes emergency landing at Newcastle Airport after landing gear fails

A small plane has made a seemingly textbook landing during an emergency at Newcastle Airport.

Rescue workers were on standby after the pilot reported shortly before 10 a.m. that the plane’s landing gear had failed.

It circled the Earth for more than two hours before landing at 12:18 p.m.

The engine appeared to shut down as it approached the runway and touched down, eventually coming to a stop.

There were loud cheers from the crowd that had lined the airport fence to watch.

It is understood the Beechcraft Super King Air, operated by Eastern Air Services, had already flown for 10 minutes to Port Macquarie when the problem was discovered.

It is believed there were three people on board.

More than a dozen fire, police, SES and rescue personnel attended the scene, with an operations room set up at the adjacent Williamtown RAAF base.

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The waiting crowd cheered as the plane landed

6m agoMonday, May 13, 2024, 2:31 a.m

By Audrey Courty

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The plane arrived at 12:18 p.m. It appeared to be shaking as you could smell fuel in the air.

The engine appeared to shut down as it approached the runway, touched down and eventually slid.

There were loud cheers from the waiting crowds who had lined the airport fence to watch.

The plane landed safely at Newcastle Airport

14m agoMonday, May 13, 2024, 2:23 a.m

By Audrey Courty

Good day.

A small plane has been circling over Newcastle Airport for at least two hours after its landing gear failed.

It has now landed safely. More than a dozen fire, police and rescue workers are on site.

We will bring you further updates as they become available.

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Eastern Air Pty Ltd, trading as Eastern Air Services, is headquartered in Port Macquarie.

The company operates primarily in New South Wales and Queensland, offering regular scheduled flights using its fleet of turboprop aircraft.

These include scenic flights to Lord Howe Island, including whale watching flights, as well as cargo services.