Lockhart River Air Disaster

The Lockhart River Air Disaster' refers to the Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) in Northern Australia of a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner commuter aircraft at 1144 on 07 May 2005. The aircraft VH TFU, owned by Transair Ltd and operated by Aerotropics, struck the ridge known as South Pap, 11 km on approach in bad weather to Lockhart River Airport, Far North Queensland Australia. All fifteen on board died as the aircraft was completly destroyed by impact forces and subsequent fire. The flight was on the return run from Bamaga on Cape York to the regional centre of Cairns. It was the worst air crash in Australia in 36 years.

Those who lost their lives were: Brett Hotchin 40 (Pilot), Tim Down 21 (Co-Pilot), Constable Sally Urquhart 28 (Queensland Police Sevice Bamaga), Frank Billy 21 (Injinoo), Fred Bowie 25 (Injinoo), Gordon Kris 37 (Injinoo), Arden Sonter 44 (Bamaga), Mardie Bowie 30 (Bamaga), Helena Woosup 25 (Bamaga), Paul Norris 34 (Main Island), Dr David Banks 56 (Canberra), Noel Lewis 46 (Sunshine Coast), Edward Green, Rob Brady 36 (Cairns) Kenneth Hurst 55 (Brookwater.)

Investigation

The Queensland Coroner's Inquest in 2007, found that, despite evidence that there were a number of issues leading up to the crash, pilot error was the prime cause. Families of those who lost their lives in the disaster have been highly critical of the Coroner's findings and the deficiencies in the operations of the regulator CASA, (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) and the poor company stucture and practices of Transair Ltd. These issues are clearly and extensively explained in the report delivered by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on 04 April 2007 and summarised in Appendix M. As the Cockpit Voice Recorder was inoperable, and had been for some time, the events and conversations occurring between the flight crew will never be known.

References

*http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/No-survivors-at-plane-crash-site-police/2005/05/08/1115491034445.html
*http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s2008425.htm
*http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2005/AAIR/aair200501977.aspx
* Finding of Inquest: Inquest into the Aircraft Crash at Lockhart River. Office of the State Coroner 17 August 2007 Brisbane