Jump to content

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 85
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted

Hope they turn up safe.

 

Below is from AMSA via Medianet and gives some detail

 

Media Release: Overdue ultralight aircraft, North Queensland

 

 

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

 

11/02/2015 6:29:30 AM

 

Good morning,

 

Please find below and attached a media release seeking any sighting or hearing reports of two ultralight aircraft flying low yesterday in the Donnington Air Park area near Townsville. This media release has been issued to Townsville area media to broadcast as soon as possible, and to Brisbane media for background only. Further information on search activities is available from AMSA Media on 1300 624 633.

 

Overdue ultralight aircraft, North Queensland

 

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is conducting an air search for two ultralight aircraft missing near Donnington Air Park, south of Townsville.

 

Each aircraft has one person on board and were due to return to Donnington Air Park.

 

Members of the public are requested to call 1800 815 257 and report any sighting or hearing of two ultralight aircraft flying low in the vicinity of Donnington Air Park, or the Reid River, Haughton River and Majors Creek areas between 11am and 3pm AEST yesterday.

 

ENDS

 

 

Posted

What was the weather at the time? It's unlikely, but not unheard of, for a TS to account for more than one aircraft. unsettling news.

 

 

Guest Andys@coffs
Posted

indeed......very light wing loaded aircraft don't much like weather upsets.......speculation only.

 

Although looking at TVL weather for yesterday noted that the wind gusts were significant approaching 50kmhr with the gust proportion being 10-20 above steady state (ground based reporting)...... could be an issue on approach but shouldn't be an issue in the cruise stage you'd think....but might have been a bit uncomfortable.... temps look to be very comfortable......

 

Don't know about TVL but here the easterly winds are the most comfortable coming off the sea. wind directions mostly easterly at TVL yesterday (http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ60801/IDQ60801.94294.shtml)

 

 

Guest Maj Millard
Posted

Investigators will be on site tomorrow including our own. One aircraft was a WB Drifter 582 and the other a 503 Single- seat Thruster. Condolences to families and friends.

 

 

Posted

Well the police have made their findings "both planes clipped power lines" !!!

 

 

  • Agree 1
Posted

If both aircraft did clip power lines, let us hope these power lines were strung between two 500'+ mountains.

 

 

  • Agree 2
  • Caution 1
Posted

They may have been forced low by clouds after getting airborne. There were clouds around Mt Stuart and surrounding hills of the ranges in that area this morning at 0600 when I jumped on a commercial flight out of TSV airport, and it's not uncommon in that microclimate area for there to be rain/fog with the rest of TSV being clear as a bell. One hitting power lines is a piloting incident, two hitting powerlines could be a weather incident.

 

Condolences to the families and friends of the pilots.

 

 

  • Like 1
Posted
They may have been forced low by clouds after getting airborne. There were clouds around Mt Stuart and surrounding hills of the ranges in that area this morning at 0600 when I jumped on a commercial flight out of TSV airport, and it's not uncommon in that microclimate area for there to be rain/fog with the rest of TSV being clear as a bell. One hitting power lines is a piloting incident, two hitting powerlines could be a weather incident.Condolences to the families and friends of the pilots.

Condolences to both families and friends.

 

Let us hope it was weather related accidents as if it is the other, what can one say?

 

 

  • Agree 1
Posted

Just saw this on the news. They where talking with a fellow club member. he was understandably heart broken.

 

 

Guest Maj Millard
Posted

Not looking like it was powerline related at this time.More likely inflight contact...

 

 

Guest Maj Millard
Posted

Ops and tech persons enroute to site now to commence investigation.

 

 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×
×
  • Create New...