Three Dead in Light Plane Crash at Shellharbour Airport
A tragic accident has claimed three lives after a light aircraft crashed and caught fire shortly after take-off from Shellharbour Airport, south of Sydney, earlier today.
The Piper Cherokee Lance aircraft was flying from Shellharbour Airport, near Wollongong in the NSW Illawarra region, to Bathurst in the state’s central west, according to police.
Witnesses at the airport said the plane had just lifted off, reaching about 30 metres in the air, when it suddenly dipped and the left wing struck the tarmac. The impact caused an explosion and fire that engulfed the aircraft.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to save those on board. Police are now working to formally identify the three victims.
Chief Inspector Aaron Wunderlich said the process “may take a little bit of time.” He did not confirm whether the trio were travelling to the Bathurst 1000 racing event being held this weekend.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has been notified and is investigating the cause of the crash.
