Long before Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger  ditched his plane into the Hudson River in New York, the south coast’s own Rod Lovell had a similar experience in Botany Bay, and now he is set to tell his story in a new book.

On 24 April, 1994, a DC-3 aircraft piloted by Captain Rod Lovell ditched into Botany Bay after encountering engine problems just seconds after taking off from Sydney Airport. All 25 passengers were saved; many were school students en route to an Anzac Day ceremony on Norfolk Island.

Over the past 25 years, Rod has come under much scrutiny and criticism and has spent countless hours unearthing unpublished evidence about the cause of the crash.

“From Hero to Zero outlines the highs and lows I’ve been through,” he says.

“There has been immense interest in the book from not only those who remember the crash, but also many in the aviation industry who face similar scrutiny on a day-to-day basis.”

Rod says what he experienced following the crash crushed him both financially and emotionally and he hoped his experience wouldn’t be repeated for others in the industry.

He will launch his book at the City of Victor Harbor council chambers on Saturday, 2 November. The public will have the chance to meet him and have books signed at the venue from 10.30am on that day.

A further public signing session will be held at The Book Stop in Victor Central Shopping Centre from 1-4pm on the same day. On Sunday, 3 November, there will be a barbecue and book signing at the Goolwa Airport, with many pilots expected to fly in to be part of the event.

Books will be available for purchase at all events and are also available online.