Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Piper PA-34-200, VH-LCK: Accident occurred July 11, 2012 in Broome, Australia

NTSB Identification: WPR12WA334
 Nonscheduled 14 CFR Non-U.S., Commercial
Accident occurred Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Broome, Australia

Aircraft: PIPER PA34, registration: VH-LCK
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
On July 11, 2012, at 2020 universal coordinated time, a Piper PA-34-200, VH-LCK, collided with terrain near Broome, Australia. The airplane was a charter flight operating under the pertinent civil regulations of Australia. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Australia. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Australia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)
P.O. Box 967, Civic Square
Canberra A.C.T. 2608
Australia

Tel: +612 6274 6054
Fax: +612 6274 6434
www.atsb.gov.au


Emergency services at Cable Beach after the light plane crashed. 
Picture: Simon Penn
 Emergency services are scouring waters off Broome's iconic Cable Beach after a light plane crashed in the water after 8pm. It is understood the Cessna plane crashed shortly after taking off from Broome airport.

Picture: Amy Williams/Broome Advertiser 
Around 250 people were gathered in the Cable Beach amphitheatre to see violinist Richard Tognetti and members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra when they were told about 8.20pm the concert was cancelled because of an emergency situation. Witnesses report hearing a sound similar to that of a gun shot shortly before the announcement.

Picture: Amy Williams/Broome Advertiser 
 Police, fire fighters and ambulance officers are using the local surf club as a base to search for the plane. The Broome Volunteer Sea Rescue Group are also assisting in the search.


A FRANTIC search is under way at Broome's iconic Cable Beach after a light plane crashed into the ocean about 8pm overnight.

One person, believed to be the pilot, is missing, with emergency services and rescue crews desperately scouring the water about 500m offshore this evening.

PerthNow understands the Golden Eagle Airlines plane was on its way to Port Hedland to pick up freight.

The twin engine freight plane crashed as 250 people were gathered at Cable Beach Amphitheatre to see violinist Richard Tognetti and members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

It is understood the plane crashed shortly after taking off from Broome Airport, with lights seen over the ocean before suddenly disappearing.
Witnesses say they heard a loud explosion, like a gunshot, before the plane went down at the beach - an iconic destination in the state's North-West.

News of the crash quickly spread on Twitter, with Bridey Eggleton tweeting from the scene.

"I'm here in Broome, and we heard an explosion before it went down, tons of police cars were at the scene, and rescue," she wrote.

Were you at the concert or did you witness the crash? Email details to PerthNow


For full coverage including more photos from the scene, visit www.perthnow.com.au in the morning.

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