http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/crab-pot-caused-sea-plane-to-flip-20100111-m1nz.html
Crab pot caused sea plane to flip
January 11, 2010 - 12:24PM
AAP
A crab pot has been blamed for a bizarre accident that caused a sea plane to flip, leaving four people injured.
Investigators say the fishing gear became entangled with the plane as it tried to take off, causing the weekend crash.
While such events are extremely rare, they’re looking at ways to prevent similar accidents in the future.
“It is rare for a crab pot to get caught on a float plane,” a spokesman for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said on Monday.
“The purpose of our investigation is to look at how it can be avoided in future and if there are things that can be done to enhance safety.”
Four people were taken to the Gold Coast Hospital after Saturday’s crash off South Stradbroke Island. One, a 60-year-old woman, remains in hospital.
Under Queensland law, crab pots must be attached to floats and be clearly marked with the owner’s name.
The ATSB spokesman said it was not the bureau’s role to pursue any legal action or to blame any of the parties involved, including the crab pot owner.
Silence is Golden…duct tape is silver.
