Passengers' horror as landing gear fails to open on flight

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A pilot has been praised for his quick thinking during a dramatic emergency landing at Perth Airport.

The light aircraft got into trouble when it reported a landing indicator problem. It’s understood the landing gear collapsed, forcing the twin turbo prop aircraft to land on its belly.

The light aircraft departed Rothsay Gold Mine in the state’s mid-west just before 9am today, carrying 10 FIFO workers.

It's understood the landing gear failed during landing, forcing the plane to land on its belly. — It’s understood the landing gear failed during landing, forcing the plane to land on its belly. (9News)

The plane circled for an hour before sliding down the tarmac at Perth Airport. (9News)

Eleven people were on board, including the pilot, Perth Airport confirmed in a statement.

Fortunately, no-one was seriously injured.

One passenger praised the pilot’s “amazing” actions.

The aircraft was carrying 10 FIFO workers and a pilot when it encountered trouble. (Supplied)

“Yeah I was panicking, most of the guys were,” he said.

“It was pretty scary. The main thing is we’re safe and that’s the main thing.

“The pilot did really well.”

Marco Teixeira was onboard the plane and said it skidded for aboit 500 - 600 metres. — Marco Teixeira was onboard the plane and said it skidded for aboit 500 – 600 metres. (9News)

Another passenger, Marco Teixeira, said the tail scrapped down the runway making a loud noise.

“The tail was scraping all the way for 500 – 600 metres,” he said.

“A bit of smoke came out the back he just came and opened the door.”

Emergency services are on scene, as well as X to investigate what went wrong. — Emergency services are on scene, as well as Australian Transport Safety Bureau to investigate what went wrong. (9News)

Fellow passenger Dave Bradford called the incident “a textbook crash”.

Police and emergency service crews are on scene and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau team is collecting evidence to determine what caused the gear to fail.

Source: 9News