The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched investigations into two separate light aircraft incidents that occurred on Friday, one of which resulted in three fatalities off the coast of South Australia.
Tragedy at Long Bay, Goolwa South
Emergency services were called to Long Bay near Goolwa South, approximately 70 kilometres south of Adelaide, at around 4:20 pm on Friday afternoon following reports of a small aircraft crashing into the ocean. Despite immediate response efforts, all three individuals on board the single-engine Cessna were pronounced dead at the scene.
South Australian police have identified the victims as a 57-year-old pilot from Morphett Vale, an 18-year-old man from Freeling, and a 19-year-old from Pasadena. The authorities have expressed their gratitude to multiple emergency service organisations, including the Country Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Sea Rescue, and various commercial operators, for their assistance in the challenging search and retrieval operations.
Investigation and Evidence Collection
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau confirmed that safety investigators were deployed to the scene on Saturday to conduct a thorough examination. Their investigation will involve several key activities:
- Detailed inspection of the aircraft wreckage
- Interviewing witnesses who may have observed the incident
- Collecting any available video footage or recorded flight tracking data
Officials have made a public appeal for anyone who may have captured video of the aircraft either in flight or during the crash sequence to come forward promptly. A video broadcast by Seven News Adelaide appears to depict the aircraft spinning out of control before descending nose-first into the water.
A comprehensive report will be prepared for the coroner following these tragic fatalities, as is standard procedure in such incidents.
Second Incident in Queensland
In a separate aviation incident on the same day, emergency services were alerted to another small plane crash near Normanton, a remote outback town in north-western Queensland with a population of approximately 1,400 residents. The crash site was located about 800 metres west of Normanton airport, with the emergency call received around 8:00 pm.
Queensland police have reported significant challenges in accessing the remote crash location, stating that emergency services have faced difficulties reaching the site. As a result, the condition and injuries of those on board remain unknown at this time.
Ongoing Safety Investigations
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has confirmed it is gathering information about both aviation incidents and will conduct parallel investigations into each crash. The agency emphasised its commitment to determining the causes and contributing factors in both cases to enhance future aviation safety standards.
These tragic events serve as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with light aircraft operations, particularly in varied Australian terrain and weather conditions. The investigations are expected to continue for several months as authorities work to establish the complete sequence of events leading to both incidents.
