FINDINGS QUERY Dead pilot’s family waiting for coroner’s report

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

Joanne O’sullivan, daughter of well-known 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 who was 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 of the aircraft when it departed

Mt Garnet at 9.34am for a 20-minute 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, rather than by instruments.

The weather forecast that day included low cloud extending to the ground in areas of higher terrain, and low visibility in showers of rain.

The ATSB investigation found the weather almost certainly stopped the pilot from navigating by ground reference.

“Changes in track were consistent with what would be expected if attempting to avoid weather,” ATSB transport safety director Stuart Godley said.

“Low cloud and reduced visibility obscured rising terrain, and this almost certainly resulted in the pilot losing visual reference with the ground and the aircraft colliding with terrain in level flight, and under power and pilot control.”

The report also found that Mr O’sullivan had an “elevated risk of incapacitation due to heart disease” and was taking some medication before the crash.

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 conclude the investigation after reviewing the physical ATSB report.