In 1980 a twin-engined plane carrying two passengers made an emergency landing on a busy beach at Beaumont.
The Piper Navajo, owned by Beauport Aviation with pilot Capt John Burgess and co-pilot Capt John Crosby on board, was forced to land when a problem arose with one of its engines preventing it from gaining enough altitude to return to the airport.
The JEP’s Rob Shipley reported at the time that the ‘hero of the day’ was Jersey Aero Club instructor John Fuller, who, flying a Rockwell Commander with his wife and three children, was alerted by air-traffic control that the Navajo was in difficulty en route from Dinard. He intercepted the stricken plane over La Collette and then flew low over the beach ‘waggling’ his wings in an attempt to warn of the impending landing.
The pilot managed to land safely with no injuries to either the occupants or bystanders and the plane was eventually hoisted over the sea wall before being partially dismantled and taken to the Airport.
