BACKFLIP: Bureau will now investigate plane crash with truck

A PLANE and truck collision at Barwon Heads Airport will be investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The ATSB, which initially ruled out any form of review, has agreed to a “limited scope” investigation into the events of March 29 after receiving a letter from the Member for Bellarine, Lisa Neville.

The Piper PA-31 aircraft hit a truck as it flew over Barwon Heads Rd after it was thrown off course by a wind gust.

The letter, addressed to ATSB chief officer Greg Hood, demanded an investigation on the grounds that “(the) colli- sion could have easily resulted in something more devastating”.

In a letter of reply Mr Hood acknowledged that “some degree of independent inquiry could prove beneficial to the community in terms of identifying the key factors behind the event as it occurred”.

“(The investigation) will examine and publicly report on the basic facts of the matter and allow balanced consideration by those with a responsibility for the safety of aerodrome operations.”

Ms Neville welcomed the ATSB change of heart but has questioned the nominated four-month time frame. She said “given the seriousness of the accident and ongoing use of the airport, a four-month report back is of concern”.

“The local community is worried about flight safety at the airport, especially over Barwon Heads Rd, and I will continue to work with them in addressing this important issue,” she said.

Mr Hood’s letter said that the collision at Essendon Airport in February, which left five dead, was one of the safety bureau’s highest priorities.

“The ATSB receives around 16,000 notifications of aviation safety occurrences each year. These represent around 5500 separate incidents and accidents, of which we are resourced to investigate about 160.”