Metro missing south of Sydney

[Nigel C]

From www.news.com.au

Sydney plane crash, pilot missing

April 10, 2008 02:30am

A MAJOR search is underway for the pilot of a cargo plane that has crashed into water in Sydney's south after experiencing "technical difficulties."

The pilot, the sole person on board the Metroliner, raised the alarm just minutes after leaving Sydney Airport at 11.20pm last night.

Authorities hold grave fears for the pilot.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman Peter Gibson said five nautical miles after leaving the airport, it reported technical problems then minutes later disappeared off the radar.

After a massive search involving water police, rescue helicopters and even local fisherman, the wreckage was found about 500m off Bundeena Beach.

Witness Andrew Holmes, 29, of Caringbah said he was driving his boat to a boat mooring when he saw a plane flying erratically dipping left and right.

"I saw it go up in the clouds and then lost it. About 30 seconds later it came down out of the clouds at a 45 degree angle, tried to level out and then just disappeared on the horizon," he said.

The twin turbo propeller plane, operated by Airtex Aviation based out of Bankstown Airport, was transporting mail to Brisbane.

[Nigel C]

Reports are coming through of boxes and some wreckage being found.
If that's the case, then it's fair to say it was a hard hit and the chances of survival are very slim.

Not a good night.

[Nigel C]

More from www.news.com.au

Oil slick clue to missing mail plane
April 10, 2008 05:59am

A FREIGHT plane is missing after taking off from Sydney airport overnight.

The Metroliner aircraft operated by Airtex Aviation was occupied only by the male pilot and took off from Sydney bound for Brisbane at 11.30pm (AEST) yesterday, a Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman said.

"Ten nautical miles (18.5km) south-east of the airport, air traffic control got a broadcast from the pilot that he was having problems," the spokesman said.

"Shortly after that the aircraft disappeared off the radar at about 4000 feet (1219 metres)."

The aircraft's last reported location puts the Metroliner off the coast from Bundeena in the Royal National Park where a search operation has concentrated its efforts overnight.

A number of parcels, believed to have been aboard the aircraft, have been found in the water, a NSW Police spokesman said.

"Polair have spotted an oil slick in the water," the police spokesman said.

"Water police, Polair and a Sea Hawk helicopter have spent the night searching in an operation run by the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra."

The Metroliner, a 19-seat aircraft when used as a passenger plane, is believed to have been on a mail run.

"This particular aircraft was first registered in Australia in February 1998," the CASA spokesman said.

"We don't know what the problem was the pilot was alluding to, he didn't give any details in his broadcast, but obviously that is something we will look into as part of our investigations."

[Sarah C]

Did the aircraft take off from YSSY or Bankstown? The news reports keep saying YSSY.

[Mark D]

Originally Posted by Sarah C

Did the aircraft take off from YSSY or Bankstown? The news reports keep saying YSSY.

Hi Sarah,
it was YSSY

[Andrew C]

As I understand it, YSSY was the take off point.

[Andrew C]

very sad day.

Sydney plane missing
Arjun Ramachandran
April 10, 2008 - 7:28AM


Searchers have found debris floating in the ocean south-east of Sydney after a freight plane went missing overnight.

About 6am, members of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority search and rescue team found boxes and bags believed to be from the aircraft, which was on a mail run from Sydney to Brisbane.

"As yet we are still holding out hope [for the male pilot], but given the debris found it could be the crash site," an AMSA spokeswoman said.

"Water police officers report that they could smell aviation fuel in the area," a spokeswoman told AAP.

"We haven't recovered a body, and a range of private, police and military aircraft continue to search."

Fears were held for the safety of the pilot, who was the only person on the plane when it disappeared.
A fisherman, Andrew Holmes, told Sky News he saw the plane burst into flames and then fall towards the ground.

"It came moving back down at about a 45 degree angle and came back towards the ground, then levelled out and disappeared over the horizon," he said.

The search, which will use sonar equipment, was focused on an area of 80 square miles, about nine kilometres south-east of Bundeena in the Royal National Park.

Four helicopters had joined the search since daylight resumed, the AMSA spokeswoman said.
An air, land and sea exclusion zone is in place between Cronulla and Stanwell Park, five nautical miles (9.25km) out to sea and about 3km inland from the coast.

The plane took off from Sydney Airport about 11.30pm last night. The male pilot, the Metroliner's only occupant, reported problems 10 nautical miles (18.5km) after take-off.

"Shortly after that the aircraft disappeared off the radar at about 4,000 feet (1,219 metres)," a Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman said.

"We don't know what the problem was the pilot was alluding to, he didn't give any details in his broadcast, but obviously that is something we will look into as part of our investigations.''
The twin turboprop aircraft was being used to transport freight.
- with AAP

[Sarah C]

Originally Posted by Mark D

Hi Sarah,
it was YSSY

Thanks Mark

[Raymond Rowe]

Rego anyone?????????????????????

[Grahame Hutchison]

If the media have the Company name slightly wrong and it should be AVTEX at Bankstown, then their aircraft are:

VH-WGV FAIRCHILD INDUSTRIES INC SA226 SA226-TC TC-287 5670 TPE331-3 AVTEX AIR SERVICES PTY LTD

VH-OZA FAIRCHILD INDUSTRIES INC SA227 SA227-AC AC-600 6580 TPE331-11U AVTEX AIR SERVICES PTY LTD
VH-OZN FAIRCHILD INDUSTRIES INC SA227 SA227-AC AC-665 6804 TPE331-11U AVTEX AIR SERVICES PTY LTD
VH-OZV FAIRCHILD INDUSTRIES INC SA227 SA227-AC AC-610B 6580 TPE331-11U-611G AVTEX AIR SERVICES PTY LTD
VH-TGD FAIRCHILD INDUSTRIES INC SA227 SA227-AC AC-667B 6580 TPE331-11U AVTEX AIR SERVICES PTY LTD

"First registered" February 1998 would suggest VH-OZA according to the register.