A plane that crashed in the Northern Territory killing two people had been transporting a man’s body for burial.
The six-seater, single engine Cessna 210 had left Darwin Airport on its way to repatriate the man’s body at Elcho Island when it went down near Howard Springs at 1.30pm Monday.
Both the pilot and a passenger onboard died when the light plane lost both wings as it ripped through bushland and crashed on a rural road shortly after take-off.
A light plane that crashed in the Northern Territory and killed two people was transporting a man’s body for burial
The six-seater, single engine Cessna 210 left Darwin Airport on its way to repatriate the man’s body at Elcho Island when it went down near Howard Springs
Wreckage from the more than 40-year-old Air Frontier plane was strewn either side of Gunn Point Road, with its wings and body found 400 metres apart.
Part of one wing was discovered hanging from a tree with another found nearby on one side of the unsealed dirt road.
A second crime scene spanning 200m was set up on the other side where the plane’s fuselage disintegrated upon impact.
Superintendent Tony Deutrom said heavy rain at the time of the crash was being considered as a factor.
‘This time of year is quite notorious for inclement weather and that will form part of the investigation,’ he said.
‘There’s obviously a body of work that needs to be undertaken… before we can draw any conclusions as to what it was doing.’
The plane had been travelling to Elcho Island (pictured) for the repatriation of the man’s body
Wreckage from the more than 40-year-old Air Frontier plane was strewn either side of Gunn Point Road, with its wings and body found 400 metres apart
Supt Deutrom said it’s had been a traumatic task for investigating officers and two witnesses, one of whom was an off duty police officer.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and the friends of the people who have died today,’ he said.
Police are believed to have identified those killed and are working on contacting their next of kin.
The crime scenes will remain until Tuesday afternoon when investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau arrive from Canberra.
The investigation will likely consider GPS data as light planes are not required to carry black boxes, with Supt Deutrom appealing for witnesses to come forward.
One of the biggest charter operators in the Northern Territory Air Frontier owned the plane and declined to comment.
Superintendent Tony Deutrom (pictured) said heavy rain at the time of the crash was being considered as a factor but an investigation was ongoing
Police are believed to have identified those killed and are working on contacting their next of kin, with crime scenes remaining until investigators arrived Tuesday afternoon from Canberra