Face of Nation : A search has resumed for a pilot and four passengers who are feared dead after a helicopter crashed into waters off the NSW coast. The plane’s wreckage was spotted by search crews off Ingle Bay on Saturday.
Police are spearheading an effort to find the Bell UH1, which dropped off the radar near Anna Bay, north of Newcastle, early on Friday night. The aircraft belonged to Brisbane Helicopters owner and pilot David Kerr, who is believed to have been flying it at the time.
Queenslanders Jamie Ogden and Grant Kuhnemann and NSW couple Jocelyn Villanueva and Gregory Miller are also believed to have been on board. Ogden’s brother Darren has reportedly flown to Nelson Bay from Queensland after hearing about the crash.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority records show the 1960s US military helicopter – famously known as a “Huey” – was registered for use by Brisbane Helicopters in October last year.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority understands the helicopter had been on a private flight between Coffs Harbour and Bankstown.
The authority launched a search for the helicopter on Friday night, spotting an oil slick and several pieces of debris they couldn’t recover due to bad weather.
At midday, the search and rescue effort was suspended due to expert medical advice and the discovery of the damaged airframe. NSW Police is now leading efforts to recover the sunken wreckage, which suffered a setback on Saturday afternoon when poor weather made it too dangerous for divers. The aircraft went missing amid poor conditions with low visibility, high winds, and dust in the air.
Air traffic control indicated the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude when contact was lost, and there were no emergency beacons signals or mayday calls detected.
Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating with officers from Canberra travelling to the area to examine the recovered wreckage, interview witnesses and inspect aircraft and pilot records.
The bureau on Sunday called for any witnesses who may have seen the helicopter to contact them as they investigate the circumstances of the crash. “The ATSB expresses its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those on board the helicopter.”
