The partner of the pilot involved in a Lockhart River plane crash that killed him as well as four government workers on board will "most likely" be called for cross-examination at a coronial inquest.
QBuild workers Wayne Ganter, 63, Henry Roebig, 62, Wayne Brischke, 57, contractor Mark Rawlings, 49, and pilot Stuart Weavell, 36, died when the Cessna 404 Titan on which they were flying crashed into a sand dune near Lockhart River on March 11, 2020.
The men had flown 525 kilometres from Cairns that morning, and the crash happened upon a second landing attempt in poor visibility.
A pre-inquest hearing was held at Cairns Magistrates Court today, ahead of the five-day inquest starting July 17.
Liz Thomas, the partner of late Air Connect Australia pilot Mr Weavell and a pilot herself, told coroner Nerida Wilson at a pre-inquest conference that she wished to make a statement to the court.
A 'unique capacity'
Ms Wilson said Ms Thomas's statement would be made available to all stakeholders at the inquest.
"You will be most likely called for cross examination on the contents of that statement," she said.
"I understand you've volunteered this statement because you're in the unique capacity of not only being Mr Weavell's spouse, but you yourself are a pilot with fairly unique knowledge of both he and the industry," she said.
Council assisting the coroner Ian Harvey said his enquiry would follow the 122-page Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report into the crash, published in December.
He would cover the circumstances of the flight, the pilot's training, operator Air Connect Australia's safety procedures, policy surrounding terrain avoidance warning systems, and how similar accidents could be avoided.
Mr Harvey said he would in particular cover "something touched upon in the ATSB report concerning a new approach procedure that's been introduced at Lockhart River and at some other aerodromes as well".
"One issue that arises from the ATSB report, is the issue of what is called spatial disorientation and how a pilot must learn to deal with that," he said.
A shocking effect on communities
Ms Wilson told family and friends the crash had a shocking and devastating effect on the Cairns and Lockhart River communities, and addressed family and friends present.
"I extend to you my deepest and most sincere condolences," she said.
"I also acknowledge the courage of families who appear in these proceedings both today and at the inquest.
"To participate in any inquest is to regrettably reopen unhealed wounds."
Mr Harvey said he would request representation from stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the ATSB, Q-Build, Department of Energy and Public Works, Air Connect Australia, and Lockhart River Airport.
The coroner and counsel assisting made references to the Lockhart River air disaster that killed 15 people in 2005.
