Air Terminal Services (ATS) staff successfully rescued a pilot following the emergency landing of a Robinson R44 helicopter in the waters off Wailoaloa Beach in Nadi at about 5.30pm on Thursday.
ATS staff member Sepesa Rosini said their team, consisting of a Fiji Airways pilot and an engineer conducting a training nearby, quickly paddled their canoe to the sinking aircraft, which was submerged three-quarters in the water, located 30 to 40 metres away.
The team paddled their canoe towards the aircraft before conducting minor checks before approaching it. After performing safety checks and ensuring the pilot was secure, the team safely removed him from the helicopter and transported him to shore.
Fiji Airports confirmed the helicopter was flying from Nadi to Denarau with only the pilot on board when it went down. The aircraft was safely transferred onto land by authorities yesterday.
