Three men, including an experienced pilot, were killed when their light aircraft plunged into the ocean off Goolwa, South Australia, on Feb. 6. Witness video and bystanders describe the plane spiraling into a steep nose-down descent before impact. The ATSB has recovered wreckage and is examining components, maintenance records and flight data while interviewing witnesses. A coroner's inquiry is underway and a preliminary ATSB report is expected in about eight weeks.
Experienced Pilot Among Three Killed as Light Plane Spirals Into Ocean Off Goolwa
Plane crash in South Australia7NEWS Australia/YouTube
Three men died when a light aircraft plunged into the sea off Goolwa, South Australia, on Friday, Feb. 6. Witnesses on the beach captured video showing the plane enter a steep, nose-down attitude before striking the water a few hundred metres offshore.
Crash Details
South Australia Police (SAPOL) said they received reports at about 4:20 p.m. local time that a small plane carrying three people had crashed at Long Bay, near Adelaide. Police and emergency services responded immediately and recovered wreckage that was later brought ashore. All three occupants were found deceased.
Goolwa, South Australia CoastGetty
Victims
SAPOL confirmed the victims as pilot Leo Howard, 53, of Morphett Vale; Tristan Scheffer, 18, of Freeling; and an unnamed 20-year-old man from Pasadena. Local media and Goolwa Air identified Howard as a pilot affiliated with the Goolwa Air flight school.
Witness Accounts
Footage shared online shows the aircraft nosediving into the ocean. Bystander Sam Rohloff, who was fishing nearby, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) the plane "spiraled out of control" before impact. "We thought, you know, how they spiral and usually pull back up, but this thing was coming down pretty hard," he said. "It just spiraled out of control and smashed straight into the water... it was pretty much like an explosion, massive waves everywhere."
Leo HowardGOOLWA AIR/Instagram
Investigation Underway
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is leading the technical investigation. Acting Chief Commissioner Colin McNamara said investigators have recovered wreckage and will examine aircraft components at their Canberra technical facilities, review maintenance records and flight tracking data, and interview witnesses and other involved parties.
"This was a tragic day for three families, and the wider aviation community," McNamara said. He added that video recordings of the accident sequence — some already shown in the media — will be "instrumental to the investigation." The ATSB is asking anyone with footage to submit it via the witness form on its website.
A coroner's inquiry has been opened, and the ATSB aims to publish a preliminary report in about eight weeks. SAPOL and Goolwa Air have been contacted for further comment as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Help us improve.
