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Kununurra plane disaster: Male passenger killed, pilot critically injured in fiery crash

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Sarah StegerThe West Australian
A man has died and another is fighting for his life after a plane crashed in Kununurra.
Camera IconA man has died and another is fighting for his life after a plane crashed in Kununurra. Credit: The West Australian

A man in his 50s has died and another man is fighting for his life after a fiery plane crash in the State’s north-east.

The pilot, 29, and his passenger were the only ones on board the twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 58 when it came down, leaving both with catastrophic injuries.

The charter plane, operated by Kununurra-based company Aviair with the registration VH-NPT, took off from Broome early Saturday morning when a member of the public, who was fishing at Bandicoot Bar, saw it crash between the river and East Kimberley Regional Airport.

The pilot was attempting to land the plane when the horror unfolded.

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Several minutes after the flight was scheduled to touch down at 8.40am, fire crews from Kununurra, Ivanhoe and Packsaddle arrived to find “thick black smoke billowing from the aircraft”.

A WA Police spokesman said both the pilot and the passenger had been found alive shortly after, however, it was quickly established both had suffered critical injuries.

“Tragically, the passenger became unresponsive while his evacuation from the scene was being organised and despite the efforts of emergency personnel at the scene he was unable to be revived, and died,” a spokesman said.

In a statement, Aviair managing director Michael McConachy said it was an “incredibly sad time” and offered his “deepest sympathy and thoughts” to the family of the passenger.

“Aviair will continue to provide ongoing support to the pilot and his family,” he said. “Aviair has organised trauma counselling and support for staff members and first responders to the accident scene, and will provide all possible assistance to the West Australian Police and Australian Transport Safety Bureau to determine the cause of the accident.”

Mr McConachy said “Aviair would like to acknowledge the support from the local emergency responders who attended the scene and provided critical first aid to both the pilot and the passenger”.

After fire crews from Kununurra, Ivanhoe and Packsaddle arrived at the burning aircraft, from which they said “thick black smoke” was billowing, the pilot of the plane was rushed to Kununurra Airport, where ambulances were waiting to take him to Kununurra Hospital.

He suffered serious injuries, including burns, and was aboard a flight to Darwin with the Royal Flying Doctor Service at the time of publication.

Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley president David Menzel said his thoughts were “with all those involved and affected by the incident, and especially with the family of the deceased”.

A man has died and another is criticall yinjured after a Beechcraft Baron 58 crashed in Kununurra.
Camera IconA man has died and another is criticall yinjured after a Beechcraft Baron 58 crashed in Kununurra. Credit: WA POLICE

“I hope that there’s a speedy investigation that can identify what caused this terrible incident to happen,” he told The West Australian.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has called for witnesses to come forward. Meanwhile, a team of investigators — experts in aircraft operations and maintenance — are travelling to the crash site.

“Once on site, over a number of days investigators will examine the wreckage and site surrounds, and will retrieve any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“The ATSB will also analyse any available recorded data, interview witnesses and parties with a knowledge of the flight, and review aircraft maintenance and pilot records.”

“The ATSB asks anyone who may have seen the aircraft in any phase of its flight, or who may have footage of any kind, to make contact via witness@atsb.gov.au at their earliest opportunity.”

He said while a preliminary report on the findings of the investigation would most likely be published in six to eight weeks, the relevant parties would be “immediately notified” if any critical safety issues were identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, including prior to that approximate two-month deadline.

“The ATSB will publish a final report, detailing contributing factors and any identified safety issues, at the conclusion of the investigation,” Mr Mitchell added.

Police will prepare a report for the State Coroner.

Anyone who has information regarding the plane crash, particularly anyone who saw or heard the plane as it approached the airport, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au.

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