Lockhart River plane: Five people confirmed dead in crash

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is dispatching investigators to the site of a light plane crash on Cape York, which has claimed the lives of five people.

FIVE people have been confirmed dead in a light plane crash near the site of one of Australia’s worst air tragedies in far north Queensland.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the cause of a crash, in which a twin-engine Cessna 404 Titan plummeted to the ground in poor weather near Lockhart River on Cape York this morning.

2005 Lockhart River air crash families fight for justice

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman confirmed the five victims were all from Cairns.

“They are from Cairns but out of respect for the next of kin, who are still to be advised, I’m not going to provide any further details,” he said at a press conference.

A Cessna Titan similar to the one that crashed at Lockhart River. Picture: Nathan Long/JetPhotos

Queensland police and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority located the wreckage on a beach near the plane’s intended location this afternoon, hours after the plane was reported missing.

It is understood the charter flight with government workers was reported missing about 11.30am today.

Heavy rain and wild winds from a tropical low have been battering the region, the same one where an ill-fated passenger jet crashed on Iron Range, near the airstrip, killing all 15 people on-board in 2005.

The ATSB said experienced investigators would be sent to the location of the crash.

“ATSB transport safety investigators with experience in aircraft operations, aircraft maintenance and aeronautical engineering are preparing to deploy to the accident site,” a statement from the transport authority said.

“On site, investigators will examine the wreckage and site surrounds, including with the use of a 3D mapping drone.

“The ATSB will also analyse available recorded data, review weather information, and

interview witnesses.”

The plane’s last satellite communication indicated the aircraft was travelling at an altitude of 3109m and a speed of 330km/h before the signal was lost at 9.12am.

A tragic loss of life on Cape York today. I offer my deep condolences to the families and friends who are grieving for their loved ones tonight.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) March 11, 2020

It is understood the flight left Cairns Airport around 8.20am and was due to land at Lockhart River Airport just before 10am.

The plane is registered to West Australian company Aerohire and was used for charter flights, most recently in north Queensland, The Courier-Mail understands.

A spokesman for Aerohire said the plane had been on a long-term lease to Airconnect Australia. It had been leased for more than 12 months.

He said he did not believe the plane had any safety record issues.

“We are sending our condolences and our thoughts to all the families and those involved,” he said.

Mayor Wayne Butcher said: “We had a cyclone hit us this time last year, it’s just one tragedy to the next.”

Two helicopters and a rescue jet from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority joined emergency services searching for the aircraft.

Cr Butcher said earlier he had scant details except to say an aircraft had been reported missing.

It was believed to have crashed in dense terrain near the township, 760km north of Cairns.

“We’re in shock. We’re still waiting for information to come through from police and authorities,’’ Mr Butcher said.

Tim Layton, of business The Greenhoose, said rain had been constant around Lockhart River.

“I live on top of a hill and it has a good view and this morning we couldn’t see anything because of the rain and the cloud,” he said.

“The rain has been constant.

“It has been ground-soaking weather.”

An aviation source said the site where the wreckage was found was consistent with the flight path of a plane that had made a missed approach.

The ATSB plans to release an initial report on the crash in about a month, with a more in-depth final report planned for 18 months’ time.

However the ATSB said it would immediately notify relevant stakeholders if any critical safety issues arise during investigations.

The intended flight path in white and the time in contact with the plane in green (Picture: FlightAware)