AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT FORCED TO LAND IN HUNTER

A crop duster pilot had skill and luck on his side when engine failure forced his aircraft down over rugged Upper Hunter terrain today.

The Westpac Recue helicopter and ground crews responded to the forced landing near Upper Rouchel, north-east of Muswellbrook around 11am.

The agricultural aircraft had been spreading superphosphate on a Davis Creek Road property when it came down on sloping grasslands.

The pilot, who escaped major injury, freed himself from the damaged plane.

(VISION ONLY)