Fatal Accident (1 fatal/1 injured) – Barrows Bearhawk Patrol, 19-8645, Yamba Airport (YPLI), Yamba, Palmers Island, NSW, Australia, December 29, 2024
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
SOURCE Report:
On December 29, 2024, a Barrows Bearhawk Patrol aircraft, registered as 19-8645 and operated privately, crashed during takeoff at Palmers Island/Yamba Airport (YPLI) in Palmers Island, New South Wales, Australia. The incident occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time and resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. The aircraft, which was en route to South Grafton Airport (YSGR), was destroyed in the crash (Australian Transport Safety Bureau, 2024). Reports indicate the pilot, identified as 67-year-old Jim Auld, was well-known, experienced, and owned three aircraft. Auld died at the scene, while his passenger, in his 30’s and believed to be his son, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Gold Coast Hospital for emergency medical care.
The accident is under investigation, with authorities examining potential contributing factors, including mechanical failure or pilot error. Witness accounts describe the aircraft losing control shortly after takeoff and impacting the ground, causing severe structural damage. The Barrows Bearhawk Patrol, a light utility aircraft, is known for its versatility in private aviation but lacked recent incident reports, highlighting the need for a detailed inquiry into this event. Rescue teams arrived swiftly, but the severity of the crash left the pilot unrecoverable at the scene. Officials are expected to release preliminary findings in the coming days as forensic teams analyze data and debris (Australian Transport Safety Bureau, 2024).
The Aviatioist Report:
n/a
The WarZone:
n/a
Aircraft Operator:
Private
Video(YouTube overview of a/c):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-JbQTdlKq8
Accident Location:
Palmers Island/Yamba Airport (YPLI), Yamba, Palmers Island, NSW, Australia
29°26’42.80″S 153°15’59.56″E (https://g.co/kgs/1kvNgFe)
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/468730
FAA/International Registration:
19-8645
Year of Manufacture:
unkn.
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
177
NTSB:
n/a
Facebook:
n/a
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
n/a
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/198645
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
n/a
National Report(s):
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-29/plane-crash-mcintyres-airfield-palmers-island-yamba-nsw/104769362
Local Report(s):
https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/fatal-light-plane-crash-in-northern-new-south-wales-in-australia/
https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZWJpenByZC5wb2xpY2UubnN3Lmdvdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMTE2MDEwLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D
Image Reference(s):
https://imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/1/1/1/4556111-v479403a0154-15.jpg
https://www.airhistory.net/photo/119073/19-8645
https://mmpi.biz/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MMPI_20210220_MMPI0079_0393_Blog.jpg
https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/fatal-light-plane-crash-in-northern-new-south-wales-in-australia/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-29/plane-crash-mcintyres-airfield-palmers-island-yamba-nsw/104769362
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