Relatives of pilot in search for ‘closure’

THE family of a pilot killed in a horror Far North plane crash are still seeking “closure” more than a year on from his death.

Joanne O’Sullivan, daughter of pilot Richard O’Sullivan said a report by the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) into the April 8, 2019 crash, was premature and could be at odds with a pending coroner’s report.

Mr O’Sullivan, originally from Ingham, was an experienced pilot well known in North Queensland beef and mining industry circles.

The 73-year-old was killed when his Cessna 182, hit trees and terrain on the Herberton Range near Wondecla in the Atherton Tablelands.

The ATSB report, released this week, found that poor weather conditions almost certainly resulted in the crash, but his daughter said a medical condition may have been a factor.

“Obviously it has been very difficult to lose our father. He was an amazing man and a very prominent part of our lives,” she said. “(The findings) are premature without the coroner’s report.

“We would just like to know the results (of the report).”

Mr O’Sullivan was the sole occupant on the aircraft when it departed Mt Garnet for a 20minute flight to Atherton under visual flight rules, where the pilot is required to be able to navigate by visual reference to the ground or water.

A spokesman for the Coroners Court of Queensland said the final report of the forensic pathologist had only recently become available.

He said the coroner would be able to conclude the investigation after reviewing the physical ATSB report.