Two pilots who were involved in a plane crash while on their way to help fight a bushfire have been released from hospital less than 24 hours after the incident.
The Boeing 737-3 “National Large Air Tanker” came down near Hopetoun, in Western Australia’s south, about 4.15pm Monday.
It had left Bunbury-Margaret River Airport about 45 minutes prior, on its way to battle a bushfire about 590km southeast of Perth.
Both pilots managed to escape with only minor injuries, circumstances which the state’s Emergency Services Minister, Stephen Dawson, described as “miraculous”.
“It’s a truly remarkable outcome and it’s probably testament to their skill,” said Mr Dawson on Tuesday, offering the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) state government support with its investigation.
“Obviously we will take stock and consider and take on board any recommendations made by the ATSB,” said Mr Dawson.
A replacement large air tanker will also be sent from NSW to replace the crashed plane.
It’s the second ATSB investigation into a large tanker aircraft crash in three years, since a C-130 came down while fighting a fire in the NSW Snowy Mountains in 2020.
Three people on board were killed in that crash.
“We are very fortunate to be standing here not mourning the death of some fire fighters,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Darren Klemm, also revealed the plane had just completed a second drop of retardant over the fire shortly before it crashed.
Meanwhile, the fire at Hopetoun remains at a watch and act alert level as of Tuesday afternoon.
That means there is still a potential for threats to lives and homes. However, the threat is not imminent.
The fire, burning in the Fitzgerald River National Park, still isn’t contained or controlled, with conditions continuing to change.
Lighting is believed to have sparked the blaze, which was reported at about 10am Monday, and has since burned through about 2000ha of bush.
