A Beechcraft Super King Air operated by Eastern Air Services suffered a mechanical failure after takeoff from Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

The pilot, with two passengers on board, burned off fuel for three hours before attempting an emergency landing.

The aircraft made a successful wheels-up landing at the RAAF Base in Williamtown; all occupants were unharmed.

The incident caused the airport to close for about 24 hours for plane retrieval and will be probed by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The pilot received acclaim for their composure and expertise during the emergency, which involved a coordinated response from multiple emergency services.