Tragedy gripped the skies above New South Wales as a light plane crashed shortly after taking off, killing at least one person. The five-seat single-engine Cirrus SR22, best known for topping the best-seller lists of General Aviation aircraft around the globe, met a tragic end close to Lake George in the NSW Tablelands, the local authorities have confirmed. The unfortunate event unfolded before 3pm on Friday, leaving the aircraft aflame.
Firefighters bravely combated and finally extinguished the fire while police began establishing the crime scene. The incident is currently under investigation by officers from the Monaro Police District who are working to determine the number of passengers on board at the time of the catastrophic event.
According to available information, the ill-fated aircraft began its final journey at 2:30 pm, taking off from Canberra. Mere six minutes later, Air traffic control reported a startling plunge taken by the plane near Lake George. Communications with the pilot went dark soon after.
Emergency teams arrived at their designated location, a property on Hadlow Drive, Gundaroo, situated 35 kilometers north of Queanbeyan, shortly before 3pm, to find the aircraft still engulfed in flames. Billowing smoke filled the air while police vehicles, ambulances, and fire crews scrambled hastily to the accident site.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been notified of the incident and will be attending to the crash scene.
Sorrow shrouds the skies as this catastrophe unfolds, reminding us of the delicate balance between man’s desire for flight and the dangers it poses.
