Pilot Killed in North Queensland Plane Crash Amid Floodwaters
A 32-year-old pilot from Clifton has died after his Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft crashed into marshland near Normanton Airport in north-west Queensland on Friday evening. The pilot was the sole occupant of the plane. Emergency services faced challenging conditions accessing the site due to floodwaters and heavy rain, delaying recovery efforts. Police recovered a body believed to be that of the pilot on Sunday morning.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced an investigation into the incident, which occurred amidst significant regional flooding.
The Crash
The light aircraft crashed approximately 800 meters west of Normanton Airport, near the Gulf of Carpentaria, shortly after 8 PM AEST on Friday. The Beechcraft King Air B200, owned by air charter service Machjet International, had only the pilot aboard at the time of the incident. The impact of the crash initiated a small grass fire and caused a power outage for local residents in Normanton that evening.
Challenging Recovery Amidst Floodwaters
Initial attempts by emergency services to reach the remote crash site were severely impeded. Responders faced significant obstacles from floodwaters, dense bushy terrain, and heavy rain. Police reported difficulties accessing the wreckage by either vehicle or boat in the immediate aftermath.
The Normanton region has been grappling with extensive floodwaters since December, a factor that greatly complicated access. Furthermore, storm activity was noted around Normanton on the night of the crash, adding to the challenging conditions.
On Sunday morning, police officers finally managed to access the scene on foot, navigating through knee-deep water in the marshland. A body was recovered from the site, which, despite not being formally identified, is believed to be that of the 32-year-old pilot.
ATSB Launches Investigation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the fatal accident. ATSB investigators are set to conduct a thorough site survey and examine the wreckage. Their plan includes interviewing witnesses, retrieving the cockpit voice recorder, and collecting all relevant data.
Further investigative steps will involve reviewing pilot and aircraft maintenance records, assessing local weather information from the night of the crash, and analyzing available flight tracking data. Queensland Police are actively assisting the ATSB with their inquiries.
The ATSB has issued an appeal to the public, urging anyone who witnessed the accident, heard it occur, or possesses video footage of the aircraft's flight to come forward and contact them.
Normanton: A Flood-Prone Outback Town
Normanton, an outback town in the Gulf of Carpentaria, is situated within a designated flood zone. The area frequently experiences periods of isolation, often lasting several months, due to extensive flooding. This inherent geographic challenge significantly impacted the emergency response to the crash.