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olderairhead
21st Oct 2002, 09:51
From the ABC site:

"Aviation firm involved in another Whitsundays mishap

A north Queensland aviation company involved in a fatal plane crash on Hamilton Island last month has had another mishap in the Whitsundays.

Six people died when a single-engine island commuter plane, owned by Heli-Aust Tourism, crashed on take-off on Hamilton Island.

Alan Stray from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau says an investigation is underway into a second incident, in which a seaplane hit the mast of a yacht in Chance Bay on Whitsunday Island on Saturday.

Heli-Aust managing director Alan Sweeney says the seaplane hit the mast after the aircraft was buffeted by a strong wind gust."

The ABC also had video footage of the incident.

Does anyone know who owns Heli-Aust?
compressor stall
21st Oct 2002, 10:43
John Weymouth of HeliMuster NT fame no longer owns the company. Has been the case for about 12 months.
Sir Shiraz
21st Oct 2002, 10:51
Gotta see this video.........

;)
olderairhead
21st Oct 2002, 11:42
Did hear Grant Kenny is the owner but am unsure, hence the query.

The video footage was shown on the news tonight (abc). Left wing clipped the mast and by the looks of it nearly ripped the wing off.

Also forgot to post the link where I got the news: http://abc.net.au/news/australia/qld/mackay/regmky-21oct2002-3.htm (abc news)
WaldoPepper
24th Oct 2002, 23:15
Don't know if anybody has seen this, but I was just on holidays in the Whitsundays anchored at Whitehaven Beach. The sea plane touched down only about 10m away from our boat. There was no wind...just thought it a bit TOO close.