ATSB confirms plane landed on Lake Eyre after pilot became unwell
Details are emerging regarding the rescue of two people who landed a plane in Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre after the pilot became unwell.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has confirmed a plane landed in the lake last week, sustaining minor damage when its propeller struck the ground
Two people were rescued from the Sling 4 light plane. No injuries were reported.
The two people in the plane were taken to Marree uninjured. (Supplied)
An Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokesperson said it had tasked Santos's Moomba-based helicopter to assist in the rescue on October 19, after contacting the pilot.
The authority said it was alerted to the incident by local flight operator Wrightsair.
Landing aircraft on the lake is prohibited without emergency necessity under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, as is swimming, boating and driving.
The plane was airlifted out of the lake a few days after the incident. (Supplied: Mike Kellow)
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is in charge of ensuring compliance with aviation regulations, said it was aware of the incident, but could not comment on individual cases due to privacy obligations.
Access to the lake on foot has been prohibited since early 2025.
Lake has crusty layer on top of bog
In 1964, Sir Donald Campbell broke the land-speed record when he reached an average of 649 kilometres per hour atop a dry Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre.
Marree-based pilot Tekin Benli said this feat made some people overly confident in the land's strength.
"Some people believe, because his four-and-a-half tonne car could do about 650km/h, their little 1-tonne plane can land on it no worries," he said.
"But after a bit of rain, like we had rain a few days before that guy landed, it would have left a bit of a bog underneath and a thin crusty layer of salt over the top.
"So it may look dry in some areas, but you go to land and you'll break through the crust and get into the bog below."
Tekin Benli was flying on the morning of the incident, but did not see it take place. (Supplied: Tekin Benli)
While it is not legally required, Mr Benli said the usual practice for flying over the lake involved communicating movements via a designated radio frequency.
"It's very much recommended ... general aviation pilots pretty much police their own separation," he said.
Record-breaking rain and flooding has filled the lake to its highest level in decades this year.
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