Investigators to probe Broome plane crash

Investigators are flying to Broome on Western Australia’s Kimberley coast to examine the scene of a fatal plane crash.

The twin-engine Piper Seneca freight plane took off in good weather about 8pm (WST) on Wednesday before crashing in sand dunes about 2km south of Cable Beach, killing the 27-year-old male pilot who has not yet been formally identified. No one else was on board.

The Golden Eagle Airlines plane was on a regular freight flight to Port Hedland.

The pilot could not be contacted after takeoff.

Police used boats and planes to search in the water and on land, discovering the plane at 11.40pm (WST).

Freelance photographer Paul Bell, who was with them when they found the wreckage, said they’d received eyewitness accounts the plane had gone down in the ocean, so that was where the search began.

“There would have been maybe 10 or more boats going up and down looking into the water with spotlights,” Mr Bell told ABC Radio.

When the wreckage was discovered in sand dunes, it was immediately apparent no one could have survived the crash, he said.

It appeared the plane flew off the end of the Broome runway, cleared a highway but did not clear sand dunes on the other side.

“So obviously problems after takeoff or right on takeoff,” he said.

The Broome community has been shocked by the accident, which occurred at the same time as a large concert on Cable Beach.

Golden Eagle Airlines says it has been operating in the region without incident for 22 years. It says it’s mourning the loss of a friend, and that condolences have gone out to the pilot’s family and friends.

An Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) spokesman says a team of three Perth-based investigators will arrive in Broome on Thursday afternoon.

Their first priority will be to secure evidence on site then liaise with local authorities.

The ATSB has called for information from anyone who heard or saw the accident. It can be reached on 1800 020 616.

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