Yak crash in Australia today

This was just posted onto my forum, very sad.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/que….0121031982.html

Two missing in stunt plane crash August 31, 2008 – 6:10PM

Two men are missing, believed dead, after a stunt plane performing aerobatics crashed off the Gold Coast today.

A search was launched after a Russian-built Yak 52 carrying two men on a one-hour joyflight disappeared while performing aerobatics off Jumpinpin Bar, which separates North Stradbroke Island and South Stradbroke Island.

Witnesses reported the plane performed a giant loop then disappeared around 12.30pm (AEST) today.

The plane had left Hempel’s Aviation at Archerfield Airport, south-west of Brisbane, at 11.43am on a one-hour flight but failed to return.

RACQ CareFlight spokesman Brian Russell said that late this afternoon one of the rescue organisation’s two helicopters involved in the search spotted small pieces of what was thought to be aircraft wreckage.

“We believe one part of it is the propeller,” Mr Russell said.

The propeller, or part of a propeller, was being taken to shore on a water police launch for identification.

Australian Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (AusSAR) spokesman Tracey Jiggins later confirmed a “blade” had been found.

“It hasn’t been positively identified yet but we believe it may have come from the missing aircraft,” she told AAP.

The search for the missing plane and its occupants was expected to resume at first light tomorrow, a police spokesman said.
AAP