WA helicopter pilot feared dead in crash

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Pilot killed (http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/wa-helicopter-pilot-feared-dead-in-crash/story-e6frg13c-1226487937075)

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POLICE have confirmed the death of a helicopter pilot after a crash on remote pastoral land in Western Australia's Kimberley region.

One of two helicopters mustering at Louisa Downs Station on Wednesday crashed around 5pm (WST) into a gorge adjacent Margaret River Station between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek, police say.

The helicopter is currently submerged in water.

The crash site is in rough terrain and the cause of the accident is yet to be determined.

A police spokesman said on Thursday emergency services were expected to have made their way to the site by about 11am (WST).

An Air Safety Transport Bureau team was also en route to conduct an investigation.

[flopter]

Body recovered... (http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/helicopter-pilots-body-recovered-in-wa/story-e6frg13c-1226489775477)

THE body of a helicopter pilot killed after a crash on remote pastoral land in Western Australia's Kimberley region has been recovered.

Water Police divers removed the body from the submerged aircraft on Saturday morning and it was then taken to a local mortuary. It will be flown to the state mortuary at Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Perth on October 9.

West Australian police said the man had been identified but they were not yet releasing his name.

The helicopter was one of two mustering at Louisa Downs Station last Wednesday when it crashed into a gorge adjacent to Margaret River Station between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek.

An investigation has been launched by the Air Safety Transport Bureau.

[flopter]

Details from a new source.. (http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/15030759/police-find-helicopter-wreckage/)

UPDATE 12.25pm: A pilot has died in a helicopter crash in the Kimberley region.

A pilot of the aircraft, believed to be a 40-year-old man, was killed in the crash which happened overnight.

The helicopter crashed in a gorge next to the Margaret River at the edge of Margaret River Station, which borders Louisa Downs Station. It is now submerged.

The wreckage is not accessible by road. Water Police are heading to the scene from Perth but are not expected to reach the area until tomorrow.

Police battled rough terrain to reach the crash site.

Louisa Downs Station is located between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek.

Two pilots are believed to have been returning to Larrawa Station, where they were staying, when the crash occurred.

The crash, about 140km south-west of Halls Creek, was reported to police at about 7.30pm yesterday.

Initial reports suggested the helicopter had struck a rock face and plunged into water.

The pilot was believed to be the sole occupant of the helicopter.

There are no roads into the crash area, Inspector Neil Blair said.

The search for the wreckage resumed at first light this morning.

A helicopter crash claimed the life of nearby Brooking Springs station pastoralist Jillian Jenyns about 18 months ago.
That crash happened near Fitzroy Crossing, as Ms Jenyns returned home from mustering cattle.