The light aircraft crash on Groote Eylandt on the afternoon of Friday 16 June involved four Anindilyakwa Land Council employees on a charter flight to Ngukurr, a remote community in southern Arnhem Land.

Anindilyakwa Land Council CEO Mark Hewitt said the ALC is providing support to the families of the passengers and is taking immediate steps to address the serious risks associated with current air travel arrangements in the region.

“The ALC has banned all charter flights using single engine aircraft for travel for its employees and has suspended its charter contract with Katherine Aviation pending the outcomes of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation,” Mr Hewitt said.

“We are also seeking to fast-track a more substantial solution which will give the ALC much more control over risk, reliability and safety for our employees and our community.

“Yesterday’s accident is very upsetting for the affected families, the community and the ALC. There is a team of ALC staff and managers, and our health and wellbeing partner Sonder, providing on-the-ground support for those immediately affected. But we also need to take firm action now to prevent this kind of terrible accident from occurring again.”