An experienced pilot has survived after crash-landing his self-built plane in a paddock near Muchea, about 40km north-east of Perth, on Saturday morning.
Thomas Murfett, 64, was flying the two-seater Van’s RV-6A with a friend when the aircraft developed problems during practice circuits.
His wife, Belanie Murfett, said the pair had been carrying out “touch-and-goes” when they noticed something was wrong with the aircraft on their second circuit.
As the plane lost altitude, Mr Murfett used his 35 years of flying experience to steer it away from nearby homes and Brand Highway before bringing it down in an empty field.
“You don’t have much time to actually think of ‘do’. I think the body just takes over,” his wife said.
The crash prompted a major emergency response involving police, ambulance crews and other services. Gareth Deeg, a district officer with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, said removing the injured men from the aircraft had been complex because of its location.
Mr Murfett was trapped in the wreckage with shattered ribs, a broken arm and leg, and a punctured lung. His friend suffered minor injuries.
“I just thank God that he’s here. It could have ended very differently,” Mrs Murfett said. “Just relief.”
Mr Murfett is preparing for surgery and faces a lengthy recovery. His family hopes he will regain the confidence to fly again.
The aircraft had been built by Mr Murfett almost 30 years ago. Aviation consultant Tim Collins said incidents involving kit-built planes were “not uncommon”, adding that they were certified to a different level and given a special airworthiness certificate.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is gathering information about the crash but is not expected to conduct a detailed investigation.
