Pilot ditches in sea

Captain Dominic James ran out of options as his plane - carrying a critically ill woman and four others - was running out of fuel near Norfolk Island.

In the dark and facing a 1.5-metre swell, he brought the Westwind jet down and ditched in the sea.

As the jet sank within minutes, the passengers - the patient, her husband, two medical crew and the two pilots - clung to each other for 90 minutes in the water before they were rescued by a boat.

The ill woman was on a Careflight medical evacuation flight from Apia in Samoa to Melbourne, operated by Pel-Air Aviation.

The plane was scheduled to land at Norfolk Island for refuelling, Careflight says.

But after several unsuccessful approaches, Captain James - a Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalist - performed his version of the remarkable Hudson River ditching of Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III.

Yesterday  he was praised for his "amazing" skill.

Norfolk Island airport manager Glenn Robinson said today the passengers were "shaken up" after their ordeal.

"They were extremely lucky and, believe me, they all know it," he told Radio 3AW.

Only three passengers had time to put on life jackets and the others were forced to cling to them as the plane sank and they were left treading water awaiting rescue, Mr Robinson said.

"Full credit to the pilot ... the aircraft sank fairly rapidly and he pulled [the passengers] together," he said. "It was just an amazing effort by him."

A new moon provided little light for the boat crew but the vessel's radar gave a general location. One rescuer eventually saw the faint glow from one of the life jackets.

All those rescued were in shock and suffering from hypothermia but no one suffered major injuries.

The passengers were taken to Norfolk Island Hospital.

"Everybody’s fantastic," Mr Robinson said. "It’s an absolutely terrific result over here.

"They were pretty relieved to see us ... They were shaken up as you’d imagine."

Mr Robinson said the medivac patient had been a "walk on" passenger with an infection in an old cut.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said it would investigate the incident. Arrangements are now being made for the patient to be transferred to Australia.

Pel-Air Aviation chairman John Sharp said he was very proud of the captain and first officer.

"Their professionalism stood out on the day and made a substantial difference to the outcome," he said.

"They executed what would have to be described as a perfect landing on water," Mr Sharp told reporters in Sydney.

"The pilots ensured that the aircraft landed close to the coast, close to rescue.

"They landed at night, approximately we think about 9.30 local time and as a result of the skill of the pilots the aircraft landed in the water and none of the passengers were injured."

- with Robyn Grace, Paul Millar and AAP

- © Fairfax NZ News