Last Updated on: 6th October 2024, 10:34 am
Who is Dean Neal? Biography, Wiki
The pilot Dean Neal, who was involved in a devastating helicopter crash that killed five, is said to be “remarkable” and “highly regarded”.
Dean Neal was killed when the helicopter he was piloting crashed in Mt Disappointment in the Victoria region on Thursday afternoon.
Dean Neal’s Age
His current age is 32 years.
Pilot Dean Neal Helicopter Crashed in Regional Victoria During Flight Over Mount Disappointment
The 32-year-old had four passengers in his care, including the chairman of Radford’s Slaughterhouse, Paul Troja.
All five perished in the tragedy.
Family Reaction
Dean Neal was a “professional and conscientious pilot [who] always put the safety and welfare of passengers at the top of his priorities,” his devastated family said in a statement Friday night. Afternoon.
“Our broken hearts go out to the family and friends of those who flew with him,” they said.
“Your unspeakable loss is understood by all of us. We know that Dean would have gone to great lengths to get his passengers to their destinations safely.”
Mr. Neal previously worked for Microflite Helicopter Services, a Victoria based family business offering premier private flights and tours.
Microflite CEO Rod Higgins said in a statement that the pilot was “highly regarded.”
“The service was en route on a two-plane charter flight when it lost communications with the second plane just after 8 a.m.,” it said.
He has flown everywhere from Ayers Rock to Hamilton Island and has been a qualified pilot since 2016.
Mr. Neal was trained to provide specialized fire support in the wilderness
Mr Neal was trained to provide specialist bushfire support and beach patrol from the skies on behalf of Surf Life Saving Victoria.
He also ran news teams covering some of the country’s biggest stories.
Paul Troja, President of Radford Slaughterhouse in Warragul, was also killed when the helicopter crashed.
“In fact, the company has a very good safety record and is very well run with new aircraft.”
“Really at this point, without speculating, the weather is probably the main consideration right now.”
Mont Déception recorded a maximum temperature of 21°C and wind speeds of up to 36 km/h.
Controlled wildfires took place in the area while low clouds were present throughout the day.
Bartsch warned that “it may be some time” before investigators determine the exact cause of the crash.
“Unlike larger air transport aircraft, these aircraft are not always equipped with flight recorders, flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders,” he said.
“I know the Australian Transport Safety Board is there. They typically submit a preliminary report within six to seven weeks.”
The helicopter was one of two to depart Melbourne’s heliport on Thursday morning and fly in convoy over Mount Disappointment.
Bartsch said the other pilot was the best hope of finding out what happened to the doomed helicopter.
A police helicopter and ambulance were dispatched to search for the missing helicopter, but the terrain hampered their efforts until 11:45 a.m. m. Thursday when the remains were finally found.
Higgins said the incident was reported to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in accordance with industry protocols.
“We will work with the relevant authorities to fully investigate this incident,” he said.
The helicopter had picked up cattle herders at the Melbourne City Heliport before flying north to buy cattle.
The second helicopter returned safely to Morrabbin Airport with all those on board being found unharmed.
Five vehicles from the country’s fire department, police and paramedics, including the air ambulance service, were at the crash site of the downed helicopter on Thursday.
The Australian Transport Safety Board is also investigating and sent a team from its Canberra and Melbourne offices to the site with a background in helicopter operations and maintenance and aerospace engineering.
Experts will inspect the wreck and surrounding area before recovering the relevant components to be taken to Canberra for further examination.
The ATSB will also analyze the recorded data and conduct interviews with knowledge of the theft.
A preliminary report from the regulator is expected in six to eight weeks.
Some Quick Facts About Dean Neal
- Meet industry tycoon Paul Troja among the fatalities in the helicopter crash.
- According to police, five people were killed in an incident at Mount Disappointment on Thursday.
- The pilot, Dean Neal, was well respected in the airline industry.
- Mr. Neal was trained to fly over wildfires and work with Surf Life Saving crews.
- An aviation expert has given the possible cause of the helicopter crash in the Victoria region.
- The helicopter was one of two to depart Melbourne’s CBD on a business flight.
- The passengers were believed to be cattle ranchers going north to buy cattle.
