A lone pilot miraculously escaped injury after his light aircraft was forced into a sudden emergency landing on the South Downs near Saltdean this afternoon.
Engine Failure Sparks Mid-Flight Drama
The single-engine Yakovlev Yak-52 took off from Henstridge Airfield, Somerset, at 11.43am, bound for the Netherlands on a delivery run. But trouble hit shortly after the plane crossed the Sussex coast.
Residents in Peacehaven heard the aircraft “stuttering” as it flew overhead. Flight data revealed a sharp U-turn over Newhaven followed by a rapid drop in altitude.
Touchdown in a Field Saves the Day
The pilot managed a safe landing in a field near Falmer Road, Rottingdean, despite the engine cutting out. Danny Butler, one of the first on the scene, described the pilot as “shaken but absolutely fine” — sitting calmly on the wing, munching sandwiches and sipping coffee.
“The first thing he said was, ‘Suppose I should call the wife really!’” — Danny Butler
The plane’s owner, Jez Hopkinson, confirmed the sudden engine failure left the pilot no choice but to glide down onto the Downs during what was meant to be a routine ferry flight.
Swift Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
East Sussex Fire and Rescue arrived promptly after the incident was reported at 12.31pm. A spokesperson said crews secured the scene and confirmed the pilot was unharmed. Further emergency resources were stood down.
The aircraft remains stranded in the field while recovery teams plan its removal. Authorities expect to launch a full investigation into what caused the engine failure.
