- विज्ञापन -
Canberra: A tragic light plane crash in the Northern Territory of Australia has resulted in the death of a 63-year-old man and left a 29-year-old woman hospitalized.
The incident occurred on Sunday, approximately 50 km southeast of Darwin, where the two were the only occupants of the aircraft. According to local authorities, NT Police and Fire and Emergency Services reported the crash around 10:20 am local time.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and discovered the pilot deceased inside the plane. The woman was rescued by a helicopter team and taken to the hospital for evaluation, though she was reportedly uninjured.
Witnesses indicated that the microlight plane was flying low before it crashed into water at Fogg Dam, an area known to be inhabited by crocodiles and water pythons, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
NT Police have set up a crime scene at the crash site and are conducting an investigation.
In related news, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) recently disclosed that 27 fatalities occurred in light aircraft accidents last year, despite a decline in overall deaths compared to previous years. This has raised concerns within the hobby aircraft community, prompting calls for more in-depth investigations into recreational aircraft crashes.
Aviation consultant Lorraine MacGillivray emphasized the need for improved air crash investigations and streamlined pilot training regulations following a series of fatal crashes in Victoria last year. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted that investigations tend to prioritize larger passenger carriers, highlighting the increased risk of fatalities around Australia’s 2,300 non-towered aerodromes and urging pilots to maintain vigilance for safety. The ATSB can investigate approximately 70 aviation, maritime, and rail incidents annually, despite being notified of over 8,000 incidents each year.
