The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has rescued two people, after the pilot was forced to conduct an emergency water landing.
At approximately 8:30am (AEST), Airservices Australia alerted AMSA to an aircraft in distress, 65 km east of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
AMSA understands the plane was travelling from the Sunshine Coast to Norfolk Island, carrying two crew, when it experienced engine failure.
The pilot broadcast an emergency alert and proceeded to undertake a controlled landing on the water. All passengers evacuated onto an inflatable life-raft.
AMSA assumed coordination responsibility of the incident. Two rescue helicopters and a Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) aircraft were tasked to the incident. AMSA also tasked its Essendon-based Challenger aircraft to assist.
The rescue helicopters arrived at the incident and were able to successfully winch the two survivors on board. All passengers are reported to be safe with no serious injuries.
AMSA would like to thank Airservices Australia, the RFDS and LifeFlight for their cooperation and speedy response on this rescue.
