Three women in Royal Darwin Hospital after Groote Eylandt plane crash

Three people remain in Royal Darwin Hospital following a light plane crash in remote NT. Read how the incident has affected the community.

An aerial view over an Indigenous township on Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, where a plane crashed shortly after takeoff. Picture: AAP Image/Stephanie Flack

The four people transferred to Darwin hospital following a plane crash on Groote Eylandt will require months of treatment for their injuries.

Those on board were revealed to be employees of the Anindilyakwa Land Council and were travelling for work to Ngkurr in Arnhem Land.

Three women aged 30, 39 and 53 remain in a stable condition in hospital while a 26-year-old man was discharged on Monday.

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt said the employees, three of whom remain in hospital, would require months of treatment for a number of broken bones.

“They’ll be going through ongoing treatment,” he said.

“They are very very lucky but have injures that they’ll be working through for ages.”

He said other staff not directly involved were also upset by the incident.

“We’ve got wellbeing services on the ground and will be hiring a psychologist to talk to people if they needed it (at work).”

The charter plane had five passengers and a pilot on board when it “collided with terrain” during takeoff.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the incident, which was reported to be due to engine issues on the Cessna 210.

“During takeoff the aircraft experienced engine issues and the pilot attempted to return

to Groot Eylandt,” a statement said.

A single-engine Cessna 210 aeroplane was involved in the crash. Picture: File

“During approach, the aircraft collided with terrain and came to a rest inverted.”

All six people on board were taken to nearby health clinics.

Two people were discharged shortly after while three women aged 30, 39 and 53 and a 26-year-old man were transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital.

NT Police said the incident occurred during an emergency landing and members of the public provided assistance at the scene.

“At 2pm, police received reports of an aircraft that crashed upon making an emergency landing in a dirt paddock between Rowell Highway and a nearby access road,” a spokeswoman said.

“NT Worksafe has been notified and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) have carriage of investigating the circumstances of the crash.”

Groote Eylandt is home to about 3000 people and located in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Arnhem MLA Selena Uibo also shared her well wishes for the people involved.

“Thinking of everyone involved in the light aircraft accident on Groote Eylandt,” she wrote.

“I am wishing/praying for a full recovery for those involved.

“Thank you to the emergency first responders who worked hard to free the pilot and passengers from the aircraft, secure the area and the medical teams who have been treating the patients.”

The ATSB said it would send a team of investigators to the site off the east coast of the Northern Territory.

“Investigators will also obtain and review any recorded data, weather information, pilot, passenger and witness reports, and aircraft operator procedures and maintenance records,” the statement said.

“Any relevant components will be recovered to be transported to the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra for further examination.”