Bellarine Peninsula plane crash wreck lifted from sea bed, but fourth body remains missing

THE body of a fourth person who died in a plane crash off the Bellarine Peninsula remains missing despite recovery of the aircraft.

plane wreck

MAINTENANCE records will be focal as investigators accelerate a probe into a plane crash which claimed four lives off Barwon Heads.

Pilot experience, potential mechanical problems and weather conditions will also be under investigation following salvage of the plane’s engine block, propeller and a section of fuselage from sea bed about 4km offshore between Barwon Heads and Point Lonsdale.

The body of a man who died in the January 29 crash remains missing.

Wreckage from the plane that crashed off the shore at Barwon Heads has been shipped to Melbourne by barge. Picture: David Crosling

The victims are believed to be Daniel Flinn, 55, Donald Hateley, 68, Ian Chamberlain, 65, and Dianne Bradley, 63.

Police said last week evidence which had washed up on shore might hold key to explaining the crash after a person found maintenance papers on a Barwon Heads beach.

Air Transport Safety Bureau, ATSB, senior transport investigator Neil Campbell could not comment on the documents but said examination of the plane’s maintenance records would be routine.

Recovery of the plane’s wreckage follows revelations its pilot did not have authority to fly through cloud on the day.

Pilots flying via instruments are required to log flight details with Air Services Australia but the authority has confirmed it did not receive a planned flight path for the aircraft.

An ASA spokesman said there was no air traffic control involvement with the flight.

The plane crashed about 30 minutes after takeoff at Moorabbin.

Search and rescue divers and Water Police transported the plane parts to Yarraville by barge on Sunday morning after having lifted it from the sea bed late on Saturday afternoon.

Teams used a remote control vehicle to locate the wreckage and guide divers to the site in 33m of water.

Geelong CIU, Victoria’s Coroner and the ATSB are sharing the investigation.

Owner of the plane Mr Chamberlain was a member of Tyabb Airport aero club after having joined in 2013.

Originally published as Bellarine Peninsula plane crash wreck lifted from sea bed, but fourth body remains missing