ATSB reveals Katherine Aviation plane had wing torn off before Christmas Eve crash
More findings from the investigation into the crash that killed two people on Christmas Eve have been released, with a former tropical cyclone likely to have played a part.
Northern Territory
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The wing of a Katherine Aviation charter flight that crashed and killed the two people on board was torn off during the flight, an ATSB report has revealed.
Gladstone pilot Rhys Annis-Brown, 23, and his 43-year-old female passenger died in the crash on Christmas Eve 2022.
The preliminary report also said thunderstorm activity from former tropical cyclone Ellie was evident in the region near Bulman where it crashed..
The weather conditions, as well as pilot’s training and flight procedures were all being investigated as a potential cause of the fatal incident.
“The ATSB’s on-site examination of the wreckage and accident site identified that the location of aircraft’s right wing, approximately 300 metres before the primary point of ground contact, indicated that it had separated from the fuselage in flight, while aircraft components were spread over a distance of 80 metres,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said
“Closer examination of the right wing showed extensive permanent deformation of the wing surface with associated compression rippling to the upper skin.
“The damage was indicative of substantial upward bending forces applied to the wing prior to its failure and separation from the aircraft.”
The Cessna 210N was reported missing after it failed to arrive at Tindal Airport on December 24.
A search aircraft located the debris in dense bushland on Christmas Day.
“To date, the ATSB has examined the accident site and wreckage, interviewed personnel associated with the operation of the aircraft, collected meteorological and air traffic control radar data, and reviewed the aircraft maintenance and pilot records,” Mr Macleod said.
The report detailed that because of the remote nature of the crash, no witnesses had come forward.
A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.