A Berwick resident is concerned this scene, from a plane crash in Clyde North last month, may occur in the dense neighbourhoods of Casey.
By Callan Date
A BERWICK man believes pilots flying recklessly above Casey may crash into the dense residential neighbourhoods below.
Low flying, engine stalling and other dangerous behaviour has Lou, who didn’t want his surname revealed, worried about the safety of those on the ground.
Lou said he has witnessed several pilots flying erratically and wanted to voice his concern in the hope something could be done by the flying authorities.
“You can be in awe of these guys and a little bit scared as well. The sort of stuff they do looks quite dangerous,” he said.
Lou said one of his main concerns was how low some of the aeroplanes were flying.
“You can almost make out the markings on the side of the plane they are that low.
“They are not following the rules and I can’t understand why CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) is not doing anything about it,” he said.
A CASA spokesman said, unless aircraft were landing or taking off, there was a regulation for all pilots to stay above 1000 feet.
However, Lou believes this is regularly being flouted.
His call comes just over a month after two men were killed when their single engine Vans RV4 crashed to the earth in Clyde North.
On that occasion the plane descended into vacant paddocks but Lou believes the next crash site may result in the death of Casey residents on the ground.
Most of the wreckage from that crash was spread over about 150 metres but parts of the plane were found on an adjoining farm about 500 metres away.
The plane had been incinerated in the crash and caused a small grass fire.
“There is no doubt that this land was farmland years and years ago but now it is a residential area.
“Out the back of Officer there is plenty of vacant land where they could fly without endangering residents,” he said.
The CASA spokesman said anyone who saw erratic or low-flying aircraft was encouraged to call the confidential 1800 074 737 hotline and report it.
