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Workers from a Victorian flight charter company have been killed after their aircraft crashed in remote north-west Queensland during a fire surveillance operation.
All three people on board the twin-engine plane died when the plane crashed in bushland in the McKinlay area of Queensland, south-east of Mount Isa, around 2.30pm on Saturday.
The plane was conducting aerial fire surveillance operations in the area, travelling from Toowoomba to Mt Isa.
AGAIR, based in the regional town of Stawell in western Victoria, said the company was “utterly devastated” by the incident.
“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families of our staff,” the business said in a statement.
“Our sincerest gratitude to the first responders and [Queensland Fire and Emergency Services] who are providing ongoing assistance to us.”
The company is involved in aerial bushfire suppression and aerial agriculture charter flights.
Police said a rescue helicopter crew spotted the wreckage and officers arrived on the scene about 5pm.
The aircraft had been used for mapping bushfires and aerial observation work and was contracted by the state’s fire services.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Saturday the incident occurred as firefighters and support crews battled bushfires across the state.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palasczuk expressed her condolences.Credit: Jamila Toderas
“I am terribly saddened by what has happened,” Palaszczuk said.
“The crew on board this aircraft have been doing everything they could to protect Queenslanders.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the many people who have been impacted by this shocking incident.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later addressed the incident during a press conference in China.
“All Australians’ thoughts are with the family, friends, and all who know the brave firefighters who’ve lost their lives as a result of the fatal air accident that occurred in North Queensland,” Albanese said.
“We know that people who fight fires and stand up in emergency services risk their lives each and every day to assist their fellow Australians and to assist their communities. And today, our hearts go out to them.”
Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau were preparing to deploy to the site.
“Over the coming days, investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities on site including site mapping, wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the ATSB said in a statement.
“Investigators will also seek to interview any witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.”
A preliminary report is expected by the end of the year.
Queensland Police are also investigating and will prepare a report for the coroner.
More to come
with AAP
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