Fire and Rescue NSW Cobar Station 256 crew responded to an emergency at the Cobar Airport on Sunday following a report that an incoming plane was in trouble.
The aircraft, which was travelling from Wagga Wagga to Queensland carrying freight, had to make an emergency landing just after 11am on Sunday.
Brigade Captain Alex Lennon said a smoke indicator onboard the aircraft had alerted the pilots of smoke and shortly after, the cabin had started to fill with smoke.
“Our crews arrived to find smoke issuing from the right side of the aircraft under the wing area,” Captain Lennon said.
“Fire and Rescue crews quickly got to work dismantling the plane to locate the source of the fire and extinguish.”
He said an inspection of the inside of the aircraft determined the fire had started under the floor.
“The floor was removed and checked for further signs of heat and determined safe, the aircraft was secured, ventilated and the site handed over to airport staff,” Captain Lennon said.
“It was an excellent job by all involved, and the quick action by firefighters and aircraft crew prevented total loss of the aircraft.”
Staff from the Cobar Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade and NSW Ambulance were also in attendance.
There were no injuries however the plane sustained substantial damage. It was later removed from the runway and the aerodrome was declared operational again.
