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Four escape plane crash
Friday, 01 June 2007

Engine failure has been blamed for an aeroplane crash off Warraber Island last Wednesday in which two men, a four-year-old boy and the pilot escaped unharmed.
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The three passengers who escaped virtually uninjured from a ‘plane crash while en route to Warraber

(from left): Mr John Larry, his son Peter, 4, and Mr Milford Mauga. They are pictured while undergoing medical examinations at the Thursday Island Hospital.


The biggest injury was a scratch to the head of Mr John Larry, a passenger in the Cape Air Transport single-engine Piper Cherokee, which was ditched in the water 15 nautical miles, south-west of Warraber.

Mr Larry, his four-year-old son Peter, Mr Milford Mauga, all of Warraber, and pilot Mohammed Qais, 23, were winched to safety by helicopter about one hour after abandoning the ‘plane.

It was the second miraculous escape in the Warraber region in the last month after Patrick Mills was washed overboard and subsequently rescued.

C.A.T. owner Mr Scott Bloxom said that, in terms of an emergency, it was a text-book rescue.The ‘plane sank in about 150 feet of water and is unlikely to be retrieved, taking with it the secret of the mechanical problem which caused the emergency about 10.30 on Wednesday morning. It slowly sank about five minutes after entering the water.

Mr Bloxom said Mr Qais had notified him during the flight there were mechanical problems, about 12 minutes into the 15-20 minute flight from Horn Island.

“We had decided to try to get to Warraber as it was closer than returning to Horn Island.”

Mr Bloxom immediately contacted Australian Search and Rescue in Canberra, alerting them to the potential emergency.

However, the ‘engine continued to falter and the decision was taken to ditch the ‘plane. All four put on life jackets in preparation for the landing, and once on the water, escaped through the door onto the wing and then jumped into the water.

They clung together with the greatest emphasis on protecting young Peter. Mr Larry and the others took turns in holding onto the four-year-old to ensure he was safe and the four all remained together while awaiting their rescue. Once the decision to ditch was made, emergency services swung into action and they were located after about five minutes in the water by a Coastwatch helicopter which was diverted from its normal surveillance duties.

The helicopter continued to hover over the group until a larger helicopter with a winch on board arrived at the scene about an hour later when all four were winched to safety.

They were flown back to Thursday Island Hospital for a medical examination, and all were later released. Mr Bloxom flew the three Warraber Island residents home later in the afternoon.

The group was returning to Warraber after arriving on Horn Island from Cairns.

Mr Larry said: “I kept Peter clutched to me. We didn’t worry too much about anything; only about being picked up. The conditions were good and we were drifting slowly towards Thursday Island.”

Mr Larry said the only problem was that they were becoming cold in the water, particularly Peter.

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Mr Bloxom said the problem was certainly engine failure.

“It was a text book emergency landing, and Mohammed did everything completely right. That’s why there were no serious injuries.

“Our pilots are trained for this type of emergency, and we regularly discuss this type of situation.

“The rescue also was a text-book operation as well.”

C.A.T. still operates three ‘planes – two, twin-engine and one-single engine aircraft.

“We’ll keep operating although we’re down to three ‘planes now. Mechanical failure just happens.

“We provide a service to the people of the region, and we provide economical service.”

Mr Bloxom says all his aircraft are always maintained in perfect condition.

Mr Mohammed, who has about 1000 hours of flying experience, was back on the job on Thursday.

“He was back on the horse the next day; it was important he did that.” Mr Bloxom said

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