http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ontentID=58533
Two confirmed dead in Carnarvon plane crash
14th February 2008, 11:45 WST
Police have confirmed that two men are dead after a helicopter and light plane crashed midair in the Kennedy Ranges last night.
The pair were in a six-seater twin engine aircraft that was in a collision with a helicopter in a remote area about 170km east of Carnarvon in the remote Gascoyne region shortly before 7.50pm.
They have not been formerly identified but police have been speaking with their families.
The helicopter pilot and a passenger who survived the crash spent the night in remote rugged terrain before being rescued about 8am this morning by an air ambulance crew. They were flown to Carnarvon by rescuers but did not need medical treatment.
The helicopter was able to land safely after the collision.
The two aircraft are understood to have been on a project eradicating feral goats as part of a joint operation by the Departments of Agriculture and Department of Environment.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Tracey Jiggins told thewest.com.au that emergency workers had confirmed that two people – the only occupants of the light plane – were found dead.
Carnarvon police received a call at 7.50pm last night that the two aircraft had crashed. The call cut out before any more details could be relayed.
An air ambulance left Perth this morning after an emergency beacon signal was picked up about 10pm last night by the authority’s dedicated Dornier search and rescue aircraft. There was no road access into the isolated area.
“As soon as we got that detection we were able to home in and pinpoint the location of where they are,” Ms Jiggins said.
The helicopter pilot was able to use a satellite phone to contact his home base after the crash. The pilot said that he had been able to land but he and his passenger had suffered minor injuries.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate the crash.
Condolences to families and friends.
RIP.
Di
