Image: Reproduction / Social Networks
A Cessna 208B Grand Caravan landed upside down during an emergency landing attempt shortly after takeoff from Lizard Island Airport in Australia on Monday morning, January 8th.
According to Australian media reports, nine tourists and a pilot were on board the plane, registered VHNWJ, that crashed on the ultraexclusive holiday island at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef.
The flight to Cairns departed around 7:30 a.m., but preliminary information suggests there was a mechanical failure that required a return to the island. The Grand Caravan would have crashed into trees on the way to the airport.
Online flight tracking data shows the pilot circled the island before approach:
The caravan returns a few minutes after its departure Image: FlightAware
The caravan's flight path up to the approach Image: FlightAware
Lizard Island Airport Image: Google Maps, via FlightRadar24
The area where the aircraft would have been after the accident Image: Google Maps, via FlightRadar24
Queensland Ambulance Operations sent two rescue helicopters to the island shortly after the incident and four passengers were taken to Cairns Hospital for treatment. All were examined and some of them were able to walk from the helicopter to the hospital on their own.
According to 9news, Royal Flying Doctor Service nurse Stephanie Beatty said it was remarkable that everyone emerged from the crash relatively unscathed. “Minor injuries, minor head injury and a broken arm. Otherwise very shaken, but good. I think people are very lucky to be alive,” she said.
The plane has been cordoned off with caution tape and a forensic accident unit is investigating and will determine how the crash occurred.