A small aircraft carrying seven individuals crashed into waters known for crocodile activity in Western Australia, resulting in one person being injured. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, as reported by local sources.
The incident involved a Cessna 441 Conquest, a twin-engine turboprop, which went down in Roebuck Bay, just off the coast of Broome. The aircraft reportedly experienced engine failure shortly after departing Broome Airport at approximately 11:25 a.m. on Thursday, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
On board were two pilots and five passengers. Eyewitnesses described the aircraft as flying low and at an angle before it abruptly disappeared from view.
“I noticed it flying and dipping quite low, then assumed it had simply moved beyond the horizon,” witness Alex MacNamara recounted. “It seemed to be executing a turn at an angle before descending noticeably lower.”
Police reported that one individual suffered minor head injuries due to the crash. The incident prompted a swift response from authorities and marine rescue teams, according to the news outlet.
Police said one person sustained minor head injuries in the crash, which prompted authorities and marine rescue teams to rush to the scene, the outlet reported.
A man in his 40s was reportedly airlifted to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the six others on board, who miraculously survived, were treated at the scene.
“When we were fishing, we saw the helicopter and then the police came with the boat,” Bili Putra recalled to ABC.
“We were using the phone and then we zoomed in and we saw someone they pulled out from the water.”
The small plane was bound for Mungalalu Truscott Airport, more than 400 miles away, when it reported engine troubles and plunged into the shallow, crocodile-infested waters just three minutes after takeoff, flight data shows.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is urging anyone who filmed the crash to submit their footage.
Officials said a team of investigators is expected on site Friday to examine the aircraft and crash site.
“The investigation team will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including aircraft examination and site mapping, and will recover any aircraft flight recorders or other components of interest for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the agency said.
“Investigators will also interview flight crew, passengers, and any witnesses, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data and CCTV footage, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.”
An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
