Kept Calm, Told Skydivers To Get Out Before Accident

Jump! That command took on new meaning for two skydivers preparing for a normal jump out of a Cessna 172 (file photo of type, below) earlier this week, as well as the young pilot who was flying the plane -- and who is now being praised for keeping a cool head during a crisis.

According to The Australian newspaper, the three were flying at about 10,000 feet over Victoria Tuesday, when the plane's engine began to sputter. As he tried to smooth out the engine, the 19-year-old pilot told the two skydivers to get out now. They did.

Witnesses say the unnamed pilot -- who works for the Tiger Moth Adventure Company -- then began a descent after the jumpers were away. The engine, which had smoothed out somewhat, then failed altogether at about 2,000 ft AGL, according to Constable Nigel Bullis, who witnessed the scene while flying his helicopter on a routine patrol.

The pilot tried to make an emergency landing on the beach -- but lost momentum about 100 feet out, said witness John Albrecht.

"I looked up - I saw the bloody plane, it just tipped in," said Albrecht, who is captain of the Torquay Angling Club.

(Editor's Note: Other witnesses told The Australian it appeared the pilot intentionally ditched the plane into the water, pitching the nose down to maintain airspeed when it became clear he wouldn't be able to make the beach -- which is the spot-on appropriate procedure in a scenario such as this.)

Minutes after the incident, the dazed pilot swam to the beach -- shocking onlookers who had feared the accident had been fatal.

Surf lifesaver (we call them lifeguards in the States) Damian Holman, who treated the man for mild shock, told The Australian the pilot said the Cessna's engine had stalled at 10,000 feet, and he then told the skydivers to jump immediately.

"He instructed his parachuters to jump out -- he was able to re-start his aeroplane, but was unable to land it," said Holman.

The wreckage was later pulled to shore by two tractors.

FMI: www.casa.gov.au