GARDEN ROUTE NEWS -With only 60 seconds at hand the pilot of a light aircraft, Roger Brink, only had time to ensure he lands on a reasonably open piece of ground and dodge the Eskom power lines after the aircraft experienced the loss of engine power on Saturday at 14:30.

"There was no time to panic, in that moment there were too much to think about and too little time to put out a radio call," the Mossel Bay Optometrist, Roger Brink, who has been flying 14 years told the Advertiser.
"Myself and the owner of the plane, Dirk Uys, had been flying in the circuit area for just over six minutes whilst on a proving flight when the aircraft suddenly just lost engine power at 1200 ft in the air after which I said to Dirk: 'O oh, what now?'"
"Fortunately I was able to steer and maneuver the aircraft underneath the overlying power lines and further into an emergency landing in a nearby field." Roger continued to explain.
"I was sitting at the back of the small tandem two-seater aircraft, therefore I did not see much of the impact. I only heard the loud noise as the aircraft hit the ground."

The aircraft crash-landed in such a way that Roger was able to kick open a window, however Dirk was unconscious and trapped inside. Scrambling around the plane to find a cellphone to get help, Roger found Dirk's cellphone but it was locked and he was unable to make the call.

"Pushing a lot of buttons I was able to unlock the phone and thankfully Dirk slowly started to gain consciousness. I was able to get through to one of Dirk's son's who live in Stellenbosch, who contacted his other two brothers who were in Mossel Bay that day working on a site. They contacted the emergency vehicles."
Roger then contacted his wife, Helen.
"His first words to me when I answered the phone were: 'I'm alright, Dirk is not so alright and we need an ambulance,'" Helen said.
"It was a frightening realization when I could not remember one emergency number in that moment where your head and emotions are running ahead of you."

Minutes later emergency teams arrived at the scene. Whilst Roger was lucky enough to only have sustained slight physical injuries, Dirk’s injuries were more severe. The passenger side of the aircraft where Dirk was sitting, was severely damaged and the Jaws of Life needed to be used to get him out. After being trapped for just over an hour, Dirk was airlifted to a hospital in George. Dirk is currently still in hospital receiving treatment for a fractured cheek bone and a C7 vertebra, whilst Roger is at home bandaged up with a fractured wrist, a deep cut in his head and many painful bruises.
"The emergency teams did a great job and we would like to thank them for their prompt response and professional help," Roger said.

The public is urged to create a list listing the contact numbers of various emergency services, in moments of pressure as there is no time to look for the telephone book then.

The necessary officials will be investigating the accident.

Article by Melissa Hills of the Mossel Bay Advertiser, sister newspaper of the George Herald.
Photos: Melissa Hills and Lucinda Viljoen


Dirk Uys was airlifted to a hospital in George after being removed from the wreck with the Jaws of Life.


The Brink family happy to have their dad and her husband safely home. Here is Warrick (19), Roger, Jarred (17) and Helen.