THE regional community is in mourning following the deaths of a Mount Gambier woman, 43, and a 16-year-old girl who died in yesterday’s horrific light plane crash north of the city.
Mount Barker businessman and pilot Grant Gilbert – who was conducting an Angel Flight Mission – also died in the crash at Suttontown.
The three people were on board a Tobago TB-10 when it spiralled into a paddock on Walker Road near the Sunnybrae Road intersection.
According to police, all three passengers on board died on impact.
It is understood the 16-year-old was a student at Grant High School in Mount Gambier.
The crash – about 3km south of Mount Gambier Airport – is one of the worst aviation disasters recorded in the region for many years.
Speaking at the scene late yesterday afternoon, Limestone Coast officer-in-charge Superintendent Grant Moyle described the accident as “extremely tragic”.
“These tragedies that occur in country areas have an impact on the whole community,” Supt Moyle said.
“We have spoken with some of the next of kin, but I’m not going to comment any further about the identity of the deceased.
“It is difficult for the police, CFS, MFS and SES volunteers – it is a difficult task, we will be in contact with our counsellors to provide assistance to staff if required.”
The regional police chief said some people witnessed the plane before it took off and “perhaps” others saw it shortly after.
But he said nobody appeared to witness the crash itself.
Asked about weather conditions at the time, Supt Moyle said it was “foggy, cold and wet” but declined to speculate whether this was a factor in the crash.
According to police, the aircraft took off from the Mount Gambier Airport at 10am just moments before it crashed.
While emergency crews rushed to the smouldering aircraft, sadly there were no survivors.
Mount Barker business leader James Sexton yesterday paid tribute to Mr Gilbert, 78, who was his long-term friend.
“Grant was a fourth generation businessman in Mount Barker and one of the town’s largest employers,” Mr Sexton said.
He said the town was rocked by news of his death yesterday given he was always working for the community.
“He was a very independent and intelligent man – he was a real character,” Mr Sexton told The Border Watch.
“His death is a great loss to the community and his family.”
Explaining Mr Gilbert was an avid recreational pilot, Mr Sexton said he owned two planes and had flown across the top of Australia.
Murray Bridge Flying School instructor Greg Marston said the organisation had an association with the Gilbert family.
“The plane (registered VH-YTM) was used infrequently by the flying school,” Mr Marston said.
He said the crash had sent shock waves through the aviation fraternity.
“It is really close to home when a fellow pilot dies,” Mr Marston said.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesperson Daniel O’Malley said a four-person investigation team from Canberra was on its way to Mount Gambier late yesterday to investigate the incident.
Mr O’Malley said the team would be on site today to scour for evidence in an attempt to ascertain why the plane came down.
The team of investigators heading to the accident site has expertise focused on aircraft engineering, technical and human factors.
While on site, the team will be examining the site and wreckage, gathering any recorded data and interviewing any witnesses.
The ATSB will provide an update on its website outlining the facts of the accident within 30 days.
People who witnessed the crashed are encouraged to contact the bureau on 1800 020 616.
