This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23461198

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ards plane crash: 'Pilot crash landed to avoid children' Ards plane crash: 'Pilot crash landed to avoid children'
(about 2 hours later)
A quick thinking pilot made a deliberate decision to crash land his light plane away from open fields in County Down where children were playing.A quick thinking pilot made a deliberate decision to crash land his light plane away from open fields in County Down where children were playing.
"He could easily have landed that aircraft undamaged but he avoided all the children," said John Hughes, chairman of the Ulster Flying Club."He could easily have landed that aircraft undamaged but he avoided all the children," said John Hughes, chairman of the Ulster Flying Club.
The plane made an emergency landing into trees at Dairy Hall playing fields, Newtownards, on Thursday at about 17:00 BST.The plane made an emergency landing into trees at Dairy Hall playing fields, Newtownards, on Thursday at about 17:00 BST.
The pilot - Michael McGrady who is the chief flying instructor for the Ulster Flying Club - and his passenger were not seriously injured. It is understood the passenger was on his first trial flight with the club.The pilot - Michael McGrady who is the chief flying instructor for the Ulster Flying Club - and his passenger were not seriously injured. It is understood the passenger was on his first trial flight with the club.
They were able to walk away from the plane. They were taken to hospital where the pilot was reportedly treated for shock and his passenger suffered a sprained wrist.They were able to walk away from the plane. They were taken to hospital where the pilot was reportedly treated for shock and his passenger suffered a sprained wrist.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has begun an investigation.The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has begun an investigation.
Mr Hughes said the plane's engine cut out on the approach to the club landing strip.Mr Hughes said the plane's engine cut out on the approach to the club landing strip.
"The pilot was our chief flying instructor and he is also a commercial pilot. This was about the skills of the man. If you saw the short length of field he put that aircraft down in, you would appreciate the skills he demonstrated yesterday afternoon," he told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster."The pilot was our chief flying instructor and he is also a commercial pilot. This was about the skills of the man. If you saw the short length of field he put that aircraft down in, you would appreciate the skills he demonstrated yesterday afternoon," he told BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster.
"Without the gentleman's ability, we could have been in a spot of bother."Without the gentleman's ability, we could have been in a spot of bother.
"It was about the skill of the pilot and the strength of the aircraft. Some would call it luck but you make your own luck. Fortunately, our chief flying instructor was flying the aircraft and that is the level of skill that we had," he said."It was about the skill of the pilot and the strength of the aircraft. Some would call it luck but you make your own luck. Fortunately, our chief flying instructor was flying the aircraft and that is the level of skill that we had," he said.
Talking about the passenger, Mr Hughes said: "God help the chap, it was his first trial experience of flying. We hope we see him again."
The aircraft was dismantled on Thursday evening and its wreckage will be examined by certified engineers later on Friday.The aircraft was dismantled on Thursday evening and its wreckage will be examined by certified engineers later on Friday.