Tragic Plane Crash at New South Wales Airport Kills 3
Tragic Plane Crash at New South Wales Airport Kills 3
Police say a light aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Shellharbour Airport in New South Wales, killing all three onboard. Fire crews doused the flames as investigators begin probing the cause.
According to police, all three passengers were killed when a light aircraft crashed at an airport in New South Wales, Australia, on Saturday morning.
"Upon impacting with the ground, the aircraft caught on fire, which was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW," the police said through a statement. "Three people are confirmed deceased."
Shortly after taking off at around 10:00 am (2300 GMT Friday), the aircraft crashed at Shellharbour Airport, about 85 km (53 miles) south of Sydney, according to police. Fire and Rescue NSW Inspector Andrew Barber said that the crash happened at the airport while a local RFS unit was training. After seeing the incident, one member hurried to help.
“However, due to the nature of fuel, the fuel exposure, the combustion of the fuel, the occupants had no chance of being saved,” Barber was quoted as saying by ABC News.
“So the plane, which has been to what Fire and Rescue said, it was broken into multiple pieces by the impact of the crash. It’s still on the site, as are the three people who died, unfortunately, and there will be a full investigation forthcoming by police," he added.
The cause of the collision will be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in the interim. The identities of the two passengers have not yet been made public by authorities.
