Author: RTRT Date: Aug 7, 2008 02:51
Controller erred before plane crash
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August 07, 2008
A VICTORIAN air traffic controller wrongly assumed a pilot changed his
flight path before the plane crashed and killed six people on board, an
inquest has heard.
Air traffic controller Kevin Carey today gave evidence he received two
alarms indicating the Piper Cheyenne aircraft on route from Bankstown
Airport in Sydney had veered 7.5 miles off its path before crashing into a
ridge northeast of Melbourne on July 28, 2004.
Mr Carey said it appeared the aircraft was making a safe approach to Benalla
Airport so he cancelled the alerts.
"I felt at the time that the pilot knew what he was doing and the aircraft
was tracking as he felt he was where he wanted to be, where he wanted to
go,'' he said.
"My actions were honest and legitimate.''
Mr Carey conceded it would have been simple to have contacted the pilot to
confirm he was on track but he did not.
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