No survivors found in plane crash

Rescue crews have been searching for pilot Des Porter, 68, his wife Kath, 61, Manly West couple Les D’Evlin, 75, and wife Janice, 61, and John and Carol Dawson, both 63, who were on the flight.

Mr Porter’s vintage biplane did not return to Caboolture Airport as planned on Monday after leaving the Monto Fly-In in central Queensland.

Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokesman Mike Barton says the crash site was found about 1.50pm (AEST) on Wednesday about 14km northwest of Borumba Dam, which was a major focus point of the search.

‘It was a high-impact crash and there appear to be no survivors,’ he told reporters in Maroochydore.

He said police would now take over the investigation.

Mr Barton said the area around the dam, south of Gympie, became the major target for rescuers after a signal was picked up from one of the victim’s mobile telephones.

Campers in the area had called in with information about possible sightings, he said.

Mr Barton said he had to ‘put aside’ the fact he knew Mr Porter personally while he was leading the search effort.

‘That was always our hope today, that we would find this site and we would find survivors,’ he said.

‘It’s disturbing. I personally knew the pilot.

‘I think he had a very wide group of friends and I think the antique airplane community are going to be quite upset for a while that they’ve lost him, and certainly the friends and relations of the other occupants as well.’

AGL Action Rescue Helicopter CEO David Donaldson said one of his choppers has been able to land about 200m from the crash site.

‘The crew have walked in and they’re in the process of … just seeing what they can find on the ground,’ he said.

Mr Donaldson said the service would ferry police in and out of the site.

The Aviation Transport and Safety Bureau will arrive on Thursday morning to start their investigations, he said.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has extended his condolences on behalf of all Queenslanders to the families of those killed.

‘I wish to pass on my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the six people who lost their lives in this tragic accident,’ Mr Newman said in a statement.

He also thanked those involved in the search operation, including a number of private aviation companies and local residents.

‘I would like to acknowledge the people who worked tirelessly over the last couple of days in the search operation,’ Mr Newman said.

Source: skynews