Two down near Townsville
 

Search under way for pair of ultralight aircraft that disappeared after taking off in Townsville

Just received the link above via email, nasty!

Not good news according to the ABC:

Two pilots killed in crash of two planes near Townsville in north Queensland - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

MEDIA RELEASE

Recreational Aviation Australia

For immediate release

CEO Michael Linke said “Recreational Aviation Australia is saddened to learn of a double fatality in two aircraft registered with Recreational Aviation Australia and will be assisting Queensland police during the investigation. We have dispatched two investigators to the scene who will arrive today and assist police.

“Our thoughts go out to the pilot’s families at this very difficult time.

“We cannot speculate at this stage as to the cause of the accident, we will continue to work with police and release a report in due course.”

“Recreational Aviation Australia currently administers over 3,200 aircraft and has over 10,000 members. We were founded on a principle of safe, accessible, fun and enjoyable aviation. The two aircraft involved in the accident are factory built, certified aircraft.


“The two aircraft involved, a Drifter and a Thruster have been significant aircraft in our organisations development and have, for a long period of time, been the backbone of our training fleet with a history of safe operations.”

“In 2014 almost 5,200 hours and over 13,000 landings were flown in this type of aircraft across the country.”

“These particular aircraft were used for recreational private flying only.”

Ends

Media Enquiries: Michael Linke 0419 123 234

It looks like powerlines caught them both out. The media is saying one of the victims is a 30,000hr Helicopter pilot, and a Vietnam Veteran.
However, I can find no record of either of the names given, as being a Vietnam Vet.

2 aircraft, in the same area, at about the same time...

very unusual. :confused:

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/...-1227215451008

A fairly severe squall came through yesterday mid afternoon so could have affected visibility

Reports indicate they took off together.

Mickjoebill

The photo seems to suggest a fairly substantial part of the blue aircraft (wing?) is some distance away. Mid-air collision? Or flying in close proximity/formation and meeting the same set of powerlines? Either way very unfortunate. :(

it looks from the photos, the wing of 1 aircraft is reasonably close to the wreckage of the red aircraft. and i cant see a powerline in the image. thats not to say there isnt one there.

The aircraft wreckage positions appear to be about 50 or 60 metres apart, and around the same distance from the powerlines as the height of the HT power pylons.
The news video (best viewed, full screen) has a paramedic saying they had a MAC - but there doesn't appear to be the paint scrapes on the wreckage that one would potentially expect in a MAC.
I would hazard an opinion at this stage, that the powerline collision scenario is the likely cause.
All in all, a very sad event that shows even the most experienced can come to grief.

The news is constantly repeating that Robin Friend was a chopper pilot in 'Nam, but he's not listed on the Australian Vietnam Honour Roll, which I find rather strange.

I guess there could be about three or four reasons for the lack of information on Robin Friends helicopter career in Vietnam;

1. He was originally American and served in the US forces ..
2. He operated as a chopper pilot in the "Vietnam War era" - but not in a military duty ..
3. He has been missed in the compilation of the Australian Vietnam Veteran Roll of Honour (highly unlikely) ..
4. He has elected to have any reference to his service withdrawn from the Roll (possible) ..

North Queensland ultralight crash victims Errol Young and Robin Friend were true gentleman

John Eacott might be able to shed some light?

There are quite a few HT power lines in that area and it was quite windy and lumpy down low yesterday morning. If there was a collision with a line one has to ask WTF they where they doing down there as it would of been rough as guts in those little things at that height.

Not real close to power lines, maybe mid air collision? :(

Ultralights is possibly psychic:

Fatal double ultralight plane crash in north Queensland very unusual, investigators say - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Who does the investigations for the RAA?

I don't think you have to be Einstein to figure this one out!

Dr

The grief is palpable.

The demise of highly experienced flyers is often, for that, all the more perplexing

(Another gentleman to the core, still grieved by many, family and beyond - Graham White last year, in the sea near Moruya.)

Dr, I'm picking up what you are putting down. There is only one way to hit a powerline and that is to fly into it.

Edit; however the word on the street is that it was a MAC.

squawkie

I would put a bet on it.

Given:

Low level - low inertia aircraft - turbulent conditions - moderately close formation - powerlines

Could be both.

Edited to add:

Sequence doesn't alter the final result

Maybe not with this one. However, there are many cases where getting the sequence right is of the greatest importance when figuring out the time line from start to finish.

(Reading recent posts on other threads, you cannot help but come to the conclusion that ATSB have been found deficient more than once in this regard.)

Have another look at the link to the ABC Fantome, no mention of ATSB involvement. That's why I asked the question, who does the RAA use for their accident investigations?