The household of the pilot of a helicopter that crashed in regional Victoria yesterday says the wellbeing and security of his passengers was all the time his highest precedence.
Dean Neal was flying the Microflite helicopter that crashed yesterday close to Mt Disappointment, north of Melbourne, killing him and his 4 passengers.
The 32-year-old's dad and mom Rodney and Janeece, alongside along with his brother Darren, at this time launched an announcement saying they're "inexplicably shocked and distressed by the lack of our pricey son and brother".
"Dean has all the time been probably the most conscientious of professional pilots and all the time put the protection and wellbeing of his passengers within the highest of his priorities throughout his a few years of professional service," the household stated.
"Our damaged hearts go to the households and buddies of those that have been flying with him.
"Your unspeakable loss is known by us all.
"We all know Dean would have carried out something in his energy to ship his passengers safely to their vacation spot.
"The household is not going to be making any additional assertion and ask that we be left to grieve the lack of our Dean, who was a exceptional son, brother, pal and pilot."
Passenger was on 'final job' earlier than retirement
Earlier, a frontrunner within the meat business who was on his "final job" earlier than retirement was recognized as being among the many crash victims.
Paul Troja, 73, was among the many 5 individuals who died when a chartered helicopter crashed on Mt Disappointment yesterday.
Mr Troja's son revealed to 9News his father was on the flight to set his household up financially earlier than shifting his focus to his family members and residential life.
"He needed to spend extra time with the household, however he needed to do one final job to get a bit more cash behind him, so he might assist us out," Luke Troja stated.
"This was going to be it, and he was going to provide it away."
Luke Troja stated his father had been the "rock" of the household.
"He noticed the worth in everybody. Folks he labored with actually trusted him," he stated.
"He was very liked and he was very treasured by his household."
The Albert Park man was the chairman of Radfords, and served as a non-executive director of nationwide physique Meat and Livestock Australia from 2003-2009.
Paul Troja had 4 youngsters and 5 grandchildren, the youngest of whom was born simply two days in the past.
Additionally on board was tech entrepreneur Linda Woodford, who based Melbourne-based AXIchain.
The 50-year-old 's brother informed 9News the household is distraught and so they have "by no means felt emotional ache like this".
He stated she was "remodeling the complete meat business course of".
Investigation into crash underway
Investigators from the Australian Transport Security Bureau (ATSB) investigators have now arrived on the crash facet to gather proof.
"That is the fifth deadly aviation accident this 12 months in Australia and, tragically, 9 individuals have misplaced their lives throughout these accidents," ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated this afternoon.
He stated over the approaching days investigators will survey the location with a drone, study scarring to find out how the plane impacted the terrain the retrieve any related elements of the plane.
A preliminary report will likely be ready within the subsequent six to eight weeks, and the ATSB is not going to make any additional statements till that's launched.
"The ATSB extends our condolences to the family members, buddies and colleagues of these misplaced on this accident. On behalf of the ATSB I might additionally prefer to thank AMSA, the Victorian Police, the SES and different first responders for his or her glorious work discovering, securing, and offering entry to this tough web site," Mr Mitchell stated.
Earlier, Mr Mitchell stated Microflite had a "very robust" security report.
"We actually will likely be working with the operator and equally with maintainers who preserve the helicopter as effectively," he stated.
He stated it was too early to take a position but on what might have induced the crash.
The helicopter had been headed to Ulupna in Victoria's north.
"It is believed the chartered helicopter had taken off from Moorabbin Airport earlier than choosing up passengers in Batman Park, Melbourne about 7am," Victoria Police stated.
The helicopter was one in every of two travelling north in convoy from Melbourne's CBD over when it disappeared simply after 9.30am, in keeping with Victoria Police.
Each Microflite Helicopter Companies plane took off from the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne CBD close to Crown simply earlier than 8am.
The wreckage was discovered close to Blair's Hut at about 11.45am.
The second helicopter landed with out incident at Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne's south-east, after elevating the alarm.
Microflite Helicopter Companies' govt common supervisor Rodney Higgins stated the personal constitution flight that crashed was being flown by a extremely revered pilot.
Police stated the reason for the crash was nonetheless unknown.
Nonetheless, specialists have this morning steered low-flying cloud and poor visibility might be accountable, with the chopper itself cited as a extremely dependable mannequin.
Microflite has grounded all its flights till Tuesday.
Mr Higgins stated the corporate would cooperate with intensive investigations into what had occurred.
"I prolong my deepest condolences to all affected by this incident," he stated.