Parafield light plane crash leaves 2 dead, others injured

Firefighters were confronted with “really thick, black smoke” and “intense flames”, according to Metropolitan Fire Service chief fire officer Jeff Swann.

“These flames were further intensified by a significant amount of fuel that was actually inside the hangar, and also the fact that the aircraft had impacted the fire hydrant system, rendering the sprinkler system out of action, but also causing a lack of water for the firefighters to deal with,” he told media at a press conference.

“There were a number of students inside who were assisted out of the building by MFS. Obviously, the hangar has sustained significant damage.

“There were five aircraft stored inside the hangar. Three of those were impacted, but the other aircraft and a number outside of the air side were all protected.

“There were 57 firefighters in total, and a smoke advice was issued just to notify the local area community members of the dangers of the smoke.”

While it is understood that the aircraft was conducting circuit training at the time, ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell told the ABC that it is not currently known whether structured training was in progress.

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“We do know that quite tragically the instructor and the student have lost their lives,” he said.

“Equally we do know that a number of people were inside the hangar that’s impacted with varying degrees in injuries from quite significant burns to smoke inhalation.”

The ATSB has dispatched a team of investigators “specialising in aircraft operations, maintenance and engineering, human factors and survival factors” from its Canberra and Brisbane offices, who arrived in Adelaide on Thursday morning.

“Over coming days [they] will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including site and wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components of interest for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the ATSB said.

“Investigators will also interview any witnesses and involved parties, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data and CCTV footage, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.

“The ATSB anticipates publishing a preliminary report, detailing factual information about the circumstances of the accident, in about 8 weeks. A final report detailing findings and the analysis to support those findings will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

“If the investigation identifies a critical safety issue at any time the ATSB will immediately inform relevant stakeholders.”

According to Mitchell, the investigation will likely take some time due to “a lot of damage” in the hangar.

“So, not only the aircraft that’s involved in the accident has succumbed to a very significant post-impact fire. There’s been a number of other aircraft that were being worked on in the hangar that have also been destroyed,” he told the ABC.

“Processing the site, particularly a carbon-fibre fire that’s occurred here, does take us some time.”

This is the second high-profile light plane accident involving a student pilot at Parafield this year, following a dramatic Cessna crash in January where the pilot escaped unharmed.