VH-DAW – Crash of a Cessna 310R near Derby, WA

Date & Time:

20-JUN-2023

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 310R

Operator:

Broome Aviation Pty Ltd

Registration:

VH-DAW

Flight Phase:

En route

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Schedule:

Derby Airport, WA

Total fatalities:

0

Total Occupants:

2

Circumstances:

A man has sustained severe injuries following the crash of a charter plane in remote northern Western Australia.

Tuesday at 3.20 p.m. in the Kimberley region of the state, a plane carrying two passengers crashed while attempting to land at Derby Airport, according to the WA Police.

The aircraft crashed on Derby Highway, approximately two kilometres south of the town centre, where police, DFES personnel, and paramedics are still on the scene.

The pilot believed to be a man in his twenties, sustained severe but non-life-threatening injuries, while the passenger is believed to have escaped unharmed. Two men have been transported to the Derby Hospital for medical treatment. The passenger’s condition is stable, while the pilot’s remains critical but stable.

Main Roads WA has advised motorists five kilometres south of the Derby Airport Access Road to exercise caution due to the presence of emergency services.

The spokesperson stated that the matter would likely be referred to federal investigators for further review.

According to a spokesperson for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the circumstances surrounding the accident will be investigated.

“The ATSB will investigate the forced landing of a Cessna 310 aircraft on a highway south-east of Derby on Tuesday afternoon following a reported double engine failure,” he said.