Groote Eylandt plane crash sparks call for action on air safety

A company has banned the use of single engine planes following a crash carrying employees on Groote Eylandt. Read the ‘firm action’ that is being called for.

An urgent call for an investigation into air safety in Northern Territory’s remote communities has been made following a horror light plane crash.

Six people were aboard the single engine Cessna 210 when it crashed during an emergency landing at Groote Eylandt.

Four people remained in Royal Darwin Hospital in stable conditions on Sunday morning.

Among those on-board were employees of the Anindilyakwa Land Council, who were travelling on the charter flight to Ngukrr in Arnhem Land.

An aerial view over an Indigenous township on Groote Eylandt where a plane crashed during an emergency landing. Picture: AAP Image/Stephanie Flack

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said the incident sparked the need for an urgent investigation into the matter.

“The ALC has banned all charter flights using single engine aircraft for travel for its employees and has suspended its charter contract with Katherine Aviation pending the outcomes of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation,” he said.

Mr Hewitt said there was a need to investigate whether there are “serious risks associated with current air travel arrangements in the region”.

“We are also seeking to fast-track a more substantial solution which will give the ALC much more control over risk, reliability and safety for our employees and our community,” he said.

Support is being provided to all those affected by the incident.

“Yesterday’s accident is very upsetting for the affected families, the community and the ALC. “There is a team of ALC staff and managers, and our health and wellbeing partner Sonder, providing on-the-ground support for those immediately affected.

“But we also need to take firm action now to prevent this kind of terrible accident from occurring again.”

A Katherine Aviation charter flight on a Cessna 210 experienced engine trouble and was forced to make an emergency landing.

Katherine Aviation on Sunday confirmed it was a plane from its fleet involved in the incident.

A statement from the company said a Groote Eylandt-based pilot

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our upmost priority and our thoughts are on focusing to support our passengers, crew and the community,” the statement read.

“We will continue to engage with the Anindilyakwa Land Council to seek updates on the wellbeing of the passengers, and to offer our support and assistance.”

The statement said the company would continue to assist with inquires and the investigation.

As per our Emergency Response Plan, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the

Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority were immediately notified, and we will

continue to work with all the authorities,” it said.

“Our local crew and employees are part of the Groote Eylandt community, and we understand

the impact of this incident on the local close-knit community, and we will do everything in our power to support those affected.

“At this difficult time, we ask that respect be shown for community members.”

It comes almost six months after a deadly light plane crash near Katherine.

Two people were killed when the Cessna 210N crashed in bushland on Christmas Eve.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau continues to investigate both incidents.