Jockeys survive plane scare after engine failure drama
The five jockeys were forced to turn back before they even got to Goodwood (Picture: UKNIP)
A group of jockeys caught in a mid-air emergency seemed less concerned about their own survival than being late for Goodwood.
Rowan Scott, Callum Rodriguez, PJ McDonald, Tom Eaves and Jack Garritty, were on a private Piper PA-31 aircraft from Bagby Airfield, North Yorkshire, when its left engine failed with a loud bang 20 minutes into the flight.
Moments later, the propeller spinner detached, hitting the nose and leaving a visible gash in the fuselage.
As the pilot looked for somewhere to land, the jockeys began texting their agents apologising that they wouldn’t be able to ride.
Rowan’s agent Neil Hannity said: ‘Rowan was sending me messages in the air asking me to let John Quinn and Alice Haynes know he wouldn’t be able to ride their horses today and I was telling him not to worry about that in the grand scheme of things.’
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The five jockeys were forced to turn around mid-flight (Picture: UKNIP)
The propeller spinner detached, striking the aircraft’s nose and leaving visible scratches and structural damage (Picture: UKNIP)
The pilot, who had 25 years of experience, turned the plane around and landed safely back at Bagby.
Mr Hannity added: ‘It was Rowan’s first time in a private plane – he said it’s also his last.’
In a cruel twist of fate, Rowan’s horse Naana’s Sparkle went on to win the Buccellati Handicap under his substitute Charles Bishop.
Trainer Alice Haynes said: ‘Poor Rowan was upset he couldn’t make it. He sounded quite shook up. Thank god they’re all okay.’
The Civil Aviation Authority and Air Accidents Investigation Branch are expected to look into the incident.
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