Clarence River Crash NSW 12/04/14

[Rotorwork]

Very Sad

 

Fly Safe R W

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-12/girl-killed-as-light-plane-crashes-into-clarence-river/5386254

 

A 12-year-old girl has died after a light plane hit powerlines and crashed into the Clarence River in northern New South Wales.

 

Police say three people were in the four-seater plane when it crashed into the river at Ewingar, south-west of Casino.

 

The pilot, in his 50s, was able to free himself from the wreckage and get to a nearby property to raise the alarm.

 

He was taken to hospital, while a 39-year-old man was airlifted to Lismore Base Hospital with serious injuries.

 

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says it is sending three investigators who will talk to the pilot and try to work out what went wrong.

 

 

[River]

Follow up...

 

Girl, 12, killed in light plane crash

 

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 07:02:00 GMT

 

A 12 YEAR old girl was killed when a light plane she was a passenger in crashed in the state’s north.

 

The four-seater Maule M5 monoplane is believed to have hit power lines and then crashed into the Clarence River next to Ewingar Ridge Rd, Ewingar, 85km south-west of Casino, at 12.45pm on Saturday.

 

The girl’s father, 39, was winched to an ambulance helicopter and flown to Lismore Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

 

The male pilot, aged in his 50s, suffered minor injuries, but managed to free himself from the wreckage and alert authorities.

 

He has been taken by ambulance to Lismore Base Hospital also in a serious but stable condition.

 

Emergency services had to battle tough terrain to get the plane, which was floating upside in the river.

 

Police were unable to say where the flight had originated, only saying it was a “recreational flight” covering the Tenterfield and Casino area.

 

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau spokesman said there were few details of why the plane may have hit power lines and three investigators would visit the scene on Sunday and interview the pilot.

 

 

[turboplanner]

Well I might be able to help ATSB by suggesting the the plane may have been flying in proximity to the power lines.

 

 

[alf jessup]

Either way it looks like CFITPL.

 

Caught out plenty in the past and will continue until pilots attitudes change.

 

Only pilots that should be that low are the pilots like ag pilots trained to fly in around and under them.

 

If this sad event was from an engine failure and the only option was to ditch in the river then it is a case of bad luck.

 

Condolences to the family for the loss of their precious daughter.

 

Alf

 

 

[Guest extralite]

Flown in that area lots fairly low and slow in a Powered paraglider. Power lines aplenty around there, especially around the rive as a lot of hobby farms and because of the rolling hills, they can be suspended a bit off the ground. Not more than about 60 -100 feet though but would assume most of the local pilots would be aware of that. Have to be real low in a fixed wing to hit one. But nobody knows the exact circumstances yet.

 

 

[River]

The Daily Examiner

 

Local Paper for Clarence Valley Region

 

Plane wreckage to be retrieved today

 

15th Apr 2014 6:51 AM

 

» Pilot trekked to find help after plane crash killed child

 

» Plane crash that killed girl being investigated

 

THE wreckage of the light plane that crashed on Saturday morning is expected to be retrieved from the Clarence River this morning in a major operation involving specialist police.

 

The Maule M-5 four seater is currently upside down and almost fully submerged in about 2m of water with only its wheels visible.

 

Lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Russell Ewing of Richmond Local Area Command, said Police Rescue crews had surveyed the crash scene on Sunday and again yesterday to plan an effective retrieval operation.

 

The terrain around the river where the plane crashed is marked by steep cliffs, which has forced emergency services crews to access the riverbank on foot.

 

Det Sergeant Ewing said it was hoped the plane would be hauled out of the water with the help of police divers and towed upstream.

 

It would be then collected at a point called Yates Crossing about 3km north of the crash site and put on the back of a truck.

 

The local SES crew from Tabulam was also expected to be involved in the operation.

 

Tabulam SES unit volunteer Heath O'Malley said the 20-volunteer crew was "there to support whichever organisation needs us".

 

Eight SES volunteers had supported the rescue operation on Saturday and on scene assistance and aiding communications between emergency services on the scene and their headquarters.

 

Det Sergeant Ewing said the pilot, 53-year-old John Crumpton had been spoken to by police about the crash at Lismore Base Hospital and would be formally interviewed as early as Thursday.

 

The surviving passenger, in a stable condition, would also be interviewed when possible.

 

There were no plans at this stage to release the names of the 11-year-old who died in the incident or her father, even though the family had been notified.

 

"Obviously everybody's in a very vulnerable state at the moment," Detective Sergeant Ewing said.

 

The Air Transport Safety Bureau had prepared to send an investigation team to the area on Sunday, but based on interviews of the pilot by local police "deemed it unnecessary", said an ATSB spokeswoman.

 

"Our investigation is continuing in consultation with police and the power company," she said.

 

"They have photos of the powerlines."

 

Upper Clarence River popular but treacherous for flying

 

THE Upper Clarence River has a history of flying accidents, according to Casino Aero Club president Russell Kennedy.

 

The river valley offers a diverse terrain for recreational pilots, including woodland, pasture, and rolling hills and cliffs, with the mighty Clarence presenting a spectacular feature from the sky.

 

Mr Kennedy said it was a popular area for pilots to fly over, but also a treacherous one due to the frequency of power lines.

 

"There's hidden wires all over the place," Mr Kennedy said.

 

"Some of the wires are up to 300 feet high; strung from high cliffs and rolling down.

 

"That river along there if you look into your history… there's been a lot of prangs.

 

"It's claimed a few."

 

Why the plane was flying so low is unknown, although Mr Kennedy said there were many possible reasons, including scouting for an emergency landing.

 

Mr Kennedy said the veteran pilot, Goonengerry resident John Crumpton, had stored his plane at the Casino Aerodrome for a little over a year.

 

The plane took off from there early on Sunday morning before picking up the 34-year-old father and 11-year-old daughter from Murwillumbah and continuing on to the Tenterfield area.

 

It was flying back in a general easterly direction when it crashed into the river about 11am, reportedly moments after striking power lines.

 

The 11-year-old girl died in the crash.

 

As soon as he received news about the crash, Mr Kennedy did a "head count" of the planes in hangars at Casino.

 

"That's when we realised [his] Maule was out flying, and probably about 1pm it was identified as a Maule," he said.

 

Mr Kennedy described Mr Crumpton as an "avid flyer" who had recently gone on an extended flight to north Queensland.

 

The Maule M-5 four seater owned by Mr Crumpton was also known as a safe and reliable plane.

 

"It can get in and out of tight places; a terrific performer," Mr Kennedy said.

 

"They use them at high altitudes because they're renowned for their horsepower. They're a tough old workhorse."

 

Mr Crumpton's plane, registration VH-HOG, was also well kept.

 

"My plane you would describe as average to good condition; this one was in showroom condition," Mr Kennedy said.

 

 

[farri]

Last night on the TV news up here, it was reported that the power line was the cause of the accident. It was also reported that the pilot was low flying.

 

If reported correctly,while the power line did cause the accident, the pilot was flying the aircraft. Easy conclusion.

 

Frank.

 

 

[facthunter]

Are you saying powerlines only hit planes in self defence Farri? Nev

 

 

[River]

Latest Update...

 

Plane Wreckage Retrieved From Clarence River, Northern NSW

 

The Northern Star Newspaper

 

16th Apr 2014

 

POLICE divers spent hours on the bottom of the Clarence River at Ewingar yesterday attempting to recover pieces of wreckage from the Maule M-5 light plane, which came to grief there on Saturday.

 

After a painstaking operation lasting all day, the plane was finally dragged from its resting place and towed upstream to a waiting truck at about 5pm. The job started about 10am from Yates Crossing - a shallow causeway about 3km upstream - where a flat-bottomed SES boat borrowed from Lismore was launched into the Clarence to venture downstream to the crash site.

 

The wreck lay in a still section of the river about 20 metres wide, marked by the tyres of the upturned plane and an outline of its underside in the murky water. It appeared in one piece, but random bits of wreckage were in fact strewn across the river bottom. At first the three divers spent about an hour taking photos of the wreck site in preparation for the recovery. The various pieces around the impact zone were then retrieved by the divers, which took at least two hours.

 

About 15 police, including white-overalled Police Rescue officers, Lismore detectives, and officers from the Air Wing unit, along with local landowners and SES volunteers gathered on the riverbank to collect the bits of wreckage.

 

A truck with a crane attached could be seen on the road above the riverbank awaiting the chance to lift any wreckage back to Lismore for analysis. But police were unable to get the entire plane out of the water at the crash site; the hull had to be towed back upstream back to Yates Crossing and hauled from the water.

 

It is understood the pilot, Goonengerry resident John Crumpton, attempted CPR on the 11-year-old girl who died in the crash on Saturday morning, before trekking, injured, across the bush to the closest property for help.

 

POWERLINES are one of the most dangerous hazards for light plane pilots and are a common cause of fatal accidents, according to Lismore Aero Club chief flying instructor Bill Kiernan.

 

It is unknown what caused the Maule M-5 four seater to be flying below those heights when it struck powerlines across the Clarence River on Saturday morning, crashing into the river and killing an 11-year-old Murwillumbah girl. The 53-year-old pilot and 34-year-old father of the girl survived the crash. An Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation is currently under way with a preliminary report due within 30 days.

 

Mr Kiernan said powerlines were incredibly difficult to spot and a common cause of fatal accidents."Powerlines over rivers are notoriously difficult to see," he said.

 

"They're not always big tall towers, sometimes they're just one or two wires running across."

 

Mr Kiernan also said the Northern Rivers, with many small rural landholdings, was one of the most dangerous regions for power lines in rural locations.

 

-End-

 

PS; I've tried to insert a number of photos showing the accident scene and the area were the aircraft was flying at the time of the accident, alas, using the iPad I'm finding it apparently unable to post photos as it won't bring up the URL where I have the photos stored on the iPad :-(

 

 

[Scotty 1]

Manslaughter Charges.

 

http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/pilot-charged-manslaughter-over-ewingar-plane-cras/2366334/

 

A PILOT has been charged with manslaughter following a fatal plane crash at Ewingar earlier this year.

 

Emergency services were called to Ewingar Ridge Road about 11am on Saturday, April 12, after a light-plane crashed into the Clarence River.

 

The pilot, a 53-year-old man, and a male passenger, aged 35, managed to free themselves in the wreckage; however, the passenger's daughter remained trapped.

 

The 11-year-old girl died at the scene.

 

Both men were treated in Lismore Base Hospital for serious injuries.

 

Police from Richmond Local Area Command established Strike Force Vanin to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

 

Local police were assisted by investigators from the Police Air Wing and the Civil Aviation Authority.

 

Following extensive inquiries, the pilot attended Lismore Police Station about 9.30am today where he was issued a court attendance notice for the following offences:

 

• Manslaughter;
   
   
  
• Recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm;
   
   
  
• Endanger life of another person; and
   
   
  
• Fly aircraft below 500 feet.
   
   
  

 

 

The Goonengerry man will appear at Lismore Local Court on October 7.

 

 

[dutchroll]

To lay charges after the ATSB investigation indicates a fairly strong case probably exists.

 

We've been over this before. Flying at very low level without really knowing what you're doing or where the obstacles are, is a recipe for tragedy. Adding passengers into the equation is just stupidity.

 

 

[Scotty 1]

To lay charges after the ATSB investigation indicates a fairly strong case probably exists.

The ATSB report is still active and not finalised yet.

Aviation safety investigations & reports

 

Investigation title

 

Wirestrike involving Maule Aircraft Corp M-5, VH-HOG, 74 km west-south-west of Lismore Airport, NSW on 12 April 2014

 

Investigation number: AO-2014-068

 

Investigation status: Active

 

 

• Summary
   
   
  

 

 

show map):74 km west-south-west of Lismore AirportOccurrence type:WirestrikeState:NSWOccurrence class:OperationalOccurrence category:AccidentReport status:PendingHighest injury level:FatalExpected completion:Apr 2015

 

[paste:font size=4]Aircraft details

 

Aircraft manufacturer:Maule Aircraft Corp

 

Aircraft model:M-5-235C

 

Aircraft registration:VH-HOG

 

Serial number:7322C

 

Type of operation:Unknown

 

Sector:Piston

 

Damage to aircraft:Substantial

 

Departure point:Unknown

 

 

[dutchroll]

The ATSB report is still active and not finalised yet.

My apologies. I meant CASA, who were assisting the police investigation. In fact ATSB reports are not admissible evidence in criminal proceedings.

 

 

[turboplanner]

So, the first Manslaughter charge, fortunately not for an RA pilot, but very similar to some reported fun on various forums, particularly beatups of airfields, beaches and properties, and stated attitudes to "freedoms" and "nanny states" and "over-regulation.

 

The person has only been charged at this stage, not convicted, so this case will be a good example to watch, and note the elements that led to the various charges, and whether there are convictions on those charges.

 

Note the reckless charge, which Kaz previously mentioned as usually present in a Manslaughter charge - even though he didn't mean for the accident to happen. There is also usually an element of knowing that what you are doing is wrong.

 

With one passenger killed and another seriously injured there is also the potential for a sizable public liability claim over the next few years, so this pilot's life in the worst case scenario could be turned upside down for some years.

 

 

[Scotty 1]

So, the first Manslaughter charge,

Didn't relise that this is the first Manslaughter Charge. I would guess there will be quite a few watching the outcome of this case.

 

 

[Dafydd Llewellyn]

So, the first Manslaughter charge, fortunately not for an RA pilot, but very similar to some reported fun on various forums, particularly beatups of airfields, beaches and properties, and stated attitudes to "freedoms" and "nanny states" and "over-regulation.The person has only been charged at this stage, not convicted, so this case will be a good example to watch, and note the elements that led to the various charges, and whether there are convictions on those charges.

 

Note the reckless charge, which Kaz previously mentioned as usually present in a Manslaughter charge - even though he didn't mean for the accident to happen. There is also usually an element of knowing that what you are doing is wrong.

 

With one passenger killed and another seriously injured there is also the potential for a sizable public liability claim over the next few years, so this pilot's life in the worst case scenario could be turned upside down for some years.

No, not the first manslaughter charge; that was in 1972 - it was this accident: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=19720413&id=OoRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cuUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2905,4310453

Lundquist was convicted of manslaughter.

 

 

[poteroo]

Didn't relise that this is the first Manslaughter Charge. I would guess there will be quite a few watching the outcome of this case.

Yes indeed! In this case the pilot survived whereas in most low level powerline strikes everyone dies because it's such an unforgiving type of accident. It's possible that the same charge may have been laid against many past offending pilots - had they survived.

 

CASA have increased the risk management aspects for low level training via the new Manual of Standards for CASR Part 61. It's no longer a 'course-of-training' but now a full blown rating with lots more HF and planning subject matter. I'll explain this upskilling for low level flying in a new thread over the next few days.

 

 

[kaz3g]

Didn't relise that this is the first Manslaughter Charge. I would guess there will be quite a few watching the outcome of this case.

Yes. Need now to be very careful speculating about innocence or guilt and the circumstances to avoid contempt allegations.

 

Kaz

 

 

[Scotty 1]

Yes. Need now to be very careful speculating about innocence or guilt and the circumstances to avoid contempt allegations.Kaz

Think you should say that again Kaz, it hasn't stopped people in the past and I don't think it will stop some now.

 

 

[turboplanner]

There is no need to speculate that now that there are charges. This is now the time to sit back absorb the twists and turns of this case, which but for luck many people could be facing.

 

In particular the weighting given to each aspect, the defence to the charges, the arguments of the prosecution and the Decision, and any appeal.

 

Hopefully we will not get the chance to learn for another few decades, and it will help us avoid being the next case.

 

 

[kaz3g]

Does anyone know a school offering LL rating around Victoria or Southern NSW?

 

Kaz

 

 

[peterg]

Kaz

 

There is ag training at Leongatha

 

PG

 

 

[kaz3g]

KazThere is ag training at Leongatha

 

PG

Thanks Pete ..I'll make some inquiries.

 

Kaz

 

 

[poteroo]

Thanks Pete ..I'll make some inquiries.Kaz

Barry Foster in a side-by-side Pawnee - does ag ratings as well.

 

 

[kaz3g]

I'm too old to be thinking of AG flying but a LL would be a handy skill.

 

Kaz