AVIATION investigators remain tight-lipped over the possible cause of the devastating light plane crash north of Mount Gambier which tragically killed three people.
A team of investigators from Canberra sifted through the mangled wreckage at the Suttontown site, which continues to be cordoned off from the public.
Laying on the side of Walker Road along a fence line, the Socata Tobago TB-10 is barely recognisable.
State Emergency Service personnel were deployed yesterday to comb the wider area for debris from the stricken aircraft.
It is understood the plane – piloted by Mount Barker businessman Grant Gilbert and conducting an Angel Flight mission – nose dived to the ground shortly after taking off from the Mount Gambier Airport.
Investigators could not be drawn into commenting whether there were any mayday radio calls from the pilot or what the plane’s maximum height was during the doomed flight.
Speaking to a large media contingent at the site, Australian Transport Safety Bureau senior investigator Laura Henwood said they were methodically trying to piece together why the tragedy unfolded.
But she said it was too early to speculate if whether conditions, mechanical failure or pilot error were to blame.
“We won’t be speculating at this time,” Ms Henwood said.
The investigator told media the pilot was organised by the charity Angel Flight to transport two passengers from Mount Gambier to Adelaide.
“Shortly after take-off at the Mount Gambier Airport, the aircraft made a left turn and impacted with terrain,” Ms Henwood said.
She said the safety bureau had brought a number of investigators to examine the site and the wreckage, as well as interviewing witnesses.
“Witnesses reported seeing fog in the area at the time,” she said.
Investigators would also canvass the pilot’s experience, the air-worthiness of the aircraft, weather conditions and the coordination of the charity flight.
“However, it is also important to remember that we are not going to speculate at this point on circumstances surrounding the accident,” Ms Henwood said.
Ms Henwood said the bureau’s role was to conduct “no-blame” investigations and to focus on improving transport safety.
She revealed the bureau would release a “preliminary report” within four weeks.
Asked if the pilot had time to radio for help, she said that information would form part of the investigation.
Moreover, she said the investigation would also include the level of training for Angel Flight pilots and whether this model of plane had been involved in other accidents.
“This is very early in the investigation – we are going to continue to look into those factors,” she said.
The investigators are expected to be on site for some days and pieces of the wreckage could be taken back to Canberra for further examination.
A Mount Gambier security firm has been engaged to watch over the site 24 hours per day.
People who witnessed the crash are encouraged to contact the bureau on 1800 020 616.
