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MID-AIR NIGHTMARE

British expat reveals Sydney Seaplanes flight nearly crashed — after engines failed and plunged 1600ft in bad weather

Adrian Wakelin, 43, had a lucky escape when he used the same seaplane firm that Richard Cousins and his family used when their flight crashed into Sydney waters

A BRIT expat told last night how his flight with the seaplane firm that Richard Cousins used nearly crashed with engine failure.

Adrian Wakelin, 43, who was with wife Louise, said the propellers stopped and it plunged 1,600ft in bad weather.

 Adrian Wakelin claims his Sydney Seaplanes flight nearly crashed with engine failure back in February
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Adrian Wakelin claims his Sydney Seaplanes flight nearly crashed with engine failure back in FebruaryCredit: Caters News Agency

The Sydney sales rep, originally of Nottingham, said: “The engine cut out.

“The pilot tried buttons and levers, going crazy.

“Somehow, he restarted it. I wish I’d said something. This was an accident waiting to happen.”

He claimed the pilot said engines were known to fail in rough weather.

 Mr Wakelin, 43, was with his wife Louise when the propellers stopped working and the flight plunged 1,600ft in terrible weather conditions
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Mr Wakelin, 43, was with his wife Louise when the propellers stopped working and the flight plunged 1,600ft in terrible weather conditionsCredit: Caters News Agency

 

Sydney Seaplanes said it would probe his claims over February’s trip.

Another British family died in the same De Havilland model of plane in 2015.

Richard and Fiona Hewitt, of Milton Keynes, were killed with their teenage kids Harry and Felicity when their plane stalled on a sightseeing trip in Canada.

Uncle of two men killed in Sydney seaplane crash pay tribute to victims killed on NYE

 

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