The pilot never really stood a chance. His two seater Cesna lost the engine shortly after take-off. One of our helpers at home was on the street just outside our gate and heard the engine cut off and then watched in horror as the plane came spiraling down into our very densely populated subdivision.

The pilot was very quick to react, and despite not reaching a decent altitude, guided his aircraft straight into a 300 sq meter empty lot in between several homes. The plane exploded on impact and broke off into several pieces but he was able to avert an even greater human disaster. Nobody on the ground was injured, but it cost the pilot the ultimate price.