By Mark Bousen

A GROUP of disaffected aviators says it has un-covered new information about the 2005 Lockhart River air disaster which claimed the lives of the two pilots and 13 pas-sengers.

The aviators say the previously unknown evidence came to light during their recent Cairns-to-Canberra pro-test, designed to bring attention to their con-cerns about the regulators of the aviation industry and to bring, what they term, serious underlying issues to the attention of politicians.

T h i s n e w s p a p e r knows the details of the new evidence which involves the aircraft involved, but acceded to the aviators’ request not

to publish it until it had been presented to the appropriate authorities.

The Fairchild Metro 23 crashed into Iron Range National Park, about 11km north-west of Lockhart River at 11.43am on May 7, 2005, while on a flight from Bamaga to Cairns, with an intermediate stop scheduled at Lockhart River.

The aviators claim the issues about which they are seeking action have the potential to cause “terminal problems” for local aviators if not dealt with the regulator.

One of the aviators told me: “Since the Mis-sion started, there have been numerous people who have come out of the woodwork as the vehicles got into towns.”

The issues they say

need addressing are:* “False accusations”

against Richard Rudd in 2007;

* Loss of licence of Mareeba pilot John Quadrio in 2008; and

* “The lack of action and direct avoidance of

responsibility” by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in the PelAir ditching a Norfolk Island on November 18, 2009;

* As well “other interesting revelations”.

The Mission left Cairns on October 8 fol-lowing a meeting with Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch, travel-ling via Townsville, Bundaberg, Brisbane, Toowoomba , Glen Innes, Tamworth, Scone and reaching Sydney on October 18.

A submission then was presented made to Senators Bill Hef-fernan, David Fawcett and Glenn Sterle during the Senate Estimates Committee hearing.

As well the aviators met with a senior CASA figure and his assistant, among further meetings with people who too are

asking serious questions “about how the industry is operating”.

They then visited Wagga and Albury with the mission being ex-tended to Melbourne and on to Taralgon and Wollongong last week.

<< From Page 1

Cr Stephen was both shocked and deeply disap-pointed in hearing of this new spate of idiotic vandalism to the community.

“Council will not tolerate these destructive behav-iours of a few destroying public infrastructures used by all.

“Their actions are penalising themselves and their own families. It is the responsibility of everyone to make our community safe,” Cr Stephen said.

He appealed to anyone who knew anything about these terrible acts of stupidity inflicted on the community to step forward and help authorities.

Officer-in-Charge of Thursday Island Police Station Jamie Horn said that the forensics team had inspected the crime scene and consequently have some very strong leads to follow.

Romina Fujii PKA President said: “This senseless act by a few is very disappointing and I hope that strong penalties will be put in place to address this vandalism.

“If someone in the community knows who these persons are please come forward and show that this community will not tolerate this behaviour.”

“The children are now left very disadvantaged until the bus is fixed .

“PKA would like to assure parents that other arrangement are being made to have the children picked up at schools as usual and, if parents are able to pick their children before 5:30 each day from the ASC centre in Douglas Street, that would be helpful during this period,” Ms Fujii said.

Please contact Yana Nona (4069 2306) if parents need any assistance with transport.

Aviators claim ‘new evidence’ on the Lockhart River disaster

One of the signs on display by a group of concerned aviators on the protest drive from Cairns to Canberra.

A May 8, 2005, file photo showing wreckage at the crash site where a Fairchild Metroliner Commuter plane came down near the Lockhart River. Photo theconversation.com

Map courtesy of ABC.

Community suffers from mindless vandalism

The broken fence at the PKA compound.

NEWS

Torres News 3 - 9 November 2014 Page 3

PRESTIGE HOUSE FOR RENT SENSATIONAL SEA VIEWS

Near New | Tri-Level | Hargrave Street, T.I4 Bedrooms Air-conditioned Main Bedroom with

ensuite, walk in robe and access to balcony.

Porcelain tiles throughout. Bath and shower. Separate toilet. Huge outdoor entertaining area.

From $1800 pw – long lease

Call 0427 533 081 - brianjorgensen@outlook.com

www.actioncarcentre.com.au179 Lyons St, Westcourt, Cairns 4870

Don Mabo (Pictured Left) on 0421 738 482 | Gary on 0408 184 464

As is cars for sale:1996 Landrover 4x4 Wagon Turbo TSL 5/Sp Manuel $2,990Cars with Reg & RWC:1995 Honda Accord Sedan 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $2,9902001 Toyota Camry Sedan 4/Cyl Auto A/C P/S $2,9902001 Honda Civic Sedan 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $3,9902001 Holden Barina 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $4,9902001 Mitsubishi Mirage 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $4,9902001 Honda CRV 4X4 Wagon 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $5,9902003 Haihatsu Terrios 4X4 Wagon 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $5,9902003 Magna Sedan 3.5L V6 Auto A/C P/S $5,9902003 Lancer Coupe 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $5,9902001 Nissan Pulsar Sedan 4/Cyl Auto A/C P/S $5,9902005 Hyundai Getz Hatch 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S $5,9902005 Ford Fiesta Hatch 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual A/C P/S Low Klms $5,9902001 Subaru Outback 4X4 Wagon 4/Cyl Manual A/C P/S $6,9902007 Holden Viva Hatch 4/Cyl Auto A/C P/S $6,9902004 Holden Commodore Sedan V6 Auto A/C P/S $6,9902005 Magna Sedan 3.5L V6 Auto A/C P/S $6,9902002 Honda CRV 4X4 Wagon Auto A/C P/S $7,9902005 Kia Carnival 7 Seater Bus 4/Cyl 5/Sp Manual $8,9902004 Rodeo D/Cab 4X4 T/Dsl Auto Ute $10,9902004 Nissan Pathfinder 4X4 Wagon V6 Auto A/C P/S $12,0001999 Toyota Hiace Bus 11 Seater 4/Cyl Diesel A/C $12,0002011 Suzuki Swift Hatch 4/Cyl Auto A/C P/S $15,9902005 Toyota L/Cruiser 6/Cyl Diesel 5/Sp Manual Ute $23,0002012 Toyota Hilux D/Cab 4X4 T/Dsl 5/Sp Manual Ute $33,990

DrivingTo Work

Please call 4069 1243 or Mobile 0400 769 868 or0408 074 544 for more information.

DATSIMATorres Regional Office

Ground Floor, Torres Haus46 Victoria Parade

Thursday Island

The Driving to Work Program is an initiative withthe Indigenous Drivers Licensing Unit, Department of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island and Multicultural Affairs (DATSIMA) and My Pathway.

Are you• Aged 16—25 years or• Registered with My Pathway

We will pay for:• Learners Licence• Provisional Test• Log Book Exemption

Aiming to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderYouth and Adults into Employment.