The older brother of a man killed after a plane crashed on Maroochydore Beach in 1950 says the new investigation is urgent as the number of witnesses to the tragedy is dwindling.
Brian O'Connor, soon to turn 79, lost his brother Liam when an RAAF Wirraway on shark patrol cartwheeled across the crowded beach, killing three children and injuring 14.
He investigated the matter privately for some 20 years, coming to the conclusion that the pilot, who claimed to have been circling a shark spotted outside the breakers, may have been skylarking to impress the girls on the beach."He was flying too fast and too low and, when he did a sharp bank, his wing hit the sand," Mr O'Connor said.
His collated notes were presented to Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie in December in the hope of a fresh Coroner's investigation into the tragedy.
Mr Bleijie has announced a new investigation.
Mr O'Connor said he was "happy" with the decision, but added that many passing years meant it was becoming more urgent.
"If they do decide to question people then it better sooner than later, because we're all getting older," he said.
Liam O'Connor, Pauline Probert and Graham Blair were killed in the accident.
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