Tue, Sep 26, 2006
Reportedly Left Note Behind
Tasmanian authorities
are looking at the possibility a fatal plane crash on Flinders
Island Monday morning may have been an act of suicide.
Acting Inspector Mark Wright told Australia's News.com police
are following several leads regarding the crash of a Beechcraft
Bonanza into a mountainside just after the plane took off from an
airfield on Bass Strait Island... including the possibility the
sole occupant onboard, Peter Waterhouse, may have meant to kill
himself in the crash.
"We're investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash,
including the possibility that it wasn't an accident, that it was a
deliberate act," Wright said.
One witness to the crash said Waterhouse's plane was gaining
altitude and all appeared normal... until the plane banked into the
mountain.
"He was climbing all right, then the next thing the plane turned
sideways and went bang, straight into the side of the mountain,"
said John Robertson. "Then there was a big puff of smoke and a big
ball of flame."
Waterhouse reportedly left a note behind that was found after he
crashed, although Wright would not comment on those reports. Police
are still interviewing witnesses, he said.
Australia's Air Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will not
investigate the accident, he added. The ATSB typically involves
itself only with accidents resulting from a possible safety
issue.
"There's no safety issues identified that require their further
investigation," Wright said.
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