From:
Probe too expensive for Lockyer Valley pilot Terry Kronk | Gatton Star
AS police investigations begin into the plane crash that claimed the life of Lockyer Valley identity Terry Kronk, Australia's peak transport investigation authority
says it cannot afford to look into the incident.
An Air Transport Safety Board (ATSB) spokesman said it could only
investigate a "finite" number of incidents each year, and it will not be investigating the Helidon crash.
"In this instance, because it is amateur-built, it helped to inform our decision," the spokesman said.
Mr Kronk died when his replica P51 Mustang, classed as an "experimental" aircraft, crashed into the ground soon after take-off.
The Queensland Police Service Forensic Crash Unit is conducting investigations to prepare a report for the coroner on the crash of the experimental Mustang P51 replica, which crashed on take-off from the Emu Gully airstrip at 9.25am on Saturday.
The 52-year-old Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley identity appeared to be attempting to return to the Emu Gully airstrip when a mechanical failure sent the plane plummeting to earth.
Close family friend and spokesman for the Kronk family Mark Freeman paid tribute to his long-time friend and expressed shock at his untimely death. "It was all a huge shock and we are all a bit numb," Mr Freeman said.
"He was passionate about aviation and was a great pilot who loved flying.
"He flew every week."
An Air Transport Safety Bureau spokesman said the ATSB had ruled out any investigations into the accident due to budget constraints.
Well atsb??
Didn't you say at the Senate hearing that you still had funds at the end of the year???