Isa pilot’s wife also charged

THE wife of a North Queensland pilot who allegedly poured contaminants in commercial rivals’ fuel tanks, faked crashes for insurance and flew charters without a licence for years has been charged with fraud as part of an ongoing aviation investigation.

Police charged pilot Josh Hoch, 32, in January with 342 offences following a protracted multi- agency investigation into the alleged tampering of aircraft at Mount Isa Airport.

Detectives from the Mount Isa Criminal Investigation Branch yesterday charged him and wife Nichole Limburg, 34, with one count of fraud or dishonestly gain a benefit while carrying on a business.

They will face Mount Isa Magistrates Court tomorrow.

“The charges relate to alleged unlawful charter aviation services conducted by a Charters Towers- based business between 2012 and 2016,” a police statement read.

At Hoch’s first court appearance on January 25, Mount Isa Magistrates Court was told Kennedy MP Bob Katter had spent more than $ 250,000 on chartered flights with the pilot.

In May, a 24- year- old Mount Isa man was charged with offences in relation to the falsification of documents and flying an aircraft in contravention of safety requirements.

In July, a 64- year- old Charters Towers man was charged with an offence relating to alleged unlawful charter aviation services.

“Police are still appealing to anyone who may have further information relating to the grievous bodily harm of an aircraft engineer in Charters Towers in July 2014,” a police statement read.

Police are also appealing to anyone who may have been at Doongmabulla Airstrip during the nose wheel collapse of an aircraft on August 17, 2014.

Call Policelink on 131 444, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Mount Isa District Criminal Investigation Branch.