Hi all
I was present at YSBK doing a preflight this morning as this was unfolding. I must say it was quite a chilling and sombering moment, one which I'll never forget.
Basically, while waiting for the fuel truck to head over, they notified us of an emergency occuring, and immediately we put the ATC radio on to hear this unfolding. We were quite confident with the pilot's calm and relaxed demeanour that he'd get the aircraft on the ground, and someone would have to come pick them up.
There was a silence of about 2 minutes after his last call (Assuming after the impact) and then in the cold calm of the airport, we could hear essentially every emergency siren in the area echo around the airport assumedly heading to the site, followed by the NPWS helicopter ('Park 2') depart and essentially 'head towards the smoke'. It was very chilling, and I had a drop or two of cold sweat.
I'll never forget either the following ATIS message, of Information Charlie present, aerodrome is closed.
Very sombering and I'm sure affected many of us present at the airport today. As soon as Delta and Echo became current, we did what anyone else would do.... have a minute's silence and then get back in the air and keep flying.
So I'll be raising a glass to you two tonight, to the pilot, you tried and you kept calm, and I'll most definitely learn from that
