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News / Pilots escape uninjured as vintage plane crashes

Hans J Marter

3 June 2011 16:55

The damaged Hornet Moth at Baltasound airstrip on Friday afternoon - Photo: Ruth Grainger

TWO pilots flying a 75 year old de Havilland Hornet Moth have escaped uninjured when their aircraft crash-landed at the unmanned airstrip on the island of Unst.

The vintage plane sustained damage to its propeller and the under carriage when it was caught by a gust just before touching down at Baltasound on Friday afternoon.

Owners Mark Preston and Dick Felix, from Devon, were in Shetland as guests of the celebrations to the 75th anniversary of Sumburgh Airport.

They had left Sumburgh airport again at just after 2pm to do some sightseeing and visit other airstrips around Shetland.

The 1936 Hornet Moth is one of just 12 of the classic aircrafts still in existence.

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