Tragedy in the Gulf of Carpentaria: Young Pilot Dies in Horror Helicopter Crash on Remote Queensland Property
- A 27-year-old pilot was killed in a helicopter crash on a remote property near Yagoonya, Cape York
- The Robinson R22 helicopter was found destroyed, with the sole occupant dead at the scene
- Police and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau are investigating the cause of the crash, which will be reported to the coroner
In a devastating incident that has sent shockwaves through the small community of Yagoonya, a young pilot has tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on a remote Queensland property.
The 27-year-old pilot, who was the sole occupant of the Robinson R22 helicopter, was found dead at the crash scene this morning after a search and rescue operation was launched last night.
The helicopter failed to return to the homestead at Yagoonya, near Normanton, prompting authorities to deploy the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Challenger Jet and Rescue 510 helicopter to search for the missing aircraft.
The police forensic crash unit and Australian Transport Safety Bureau are working together to investigate the cause of the crash, which will be reported to the coroner. “In addition, investigators will interview involved parties and collect relevant recorded information, including any flight tracking data, as well as weather information and pilot and helicopter maintenance records,” the ATSB said in a statement.
The remote community of Yagoonya is in shock as news of the tragedy spreads, with many residents struggling to come to terms with the loss of a young life.
The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks and dangers faced by pilots operating in remote areas, and the importance of thorough investigations to determine the cause of such tragedies.