[Peetwo]

Update 29/03/17: Still waiting for prelim report -

P9:"..There may be a wait for the official report, it is after all a complex, difficult investigation and CASA will be snapping at the ATSB investigators heels, but they will not dare tackle the NTSB and FAA. So, maybe, just this once, we get to see our investigators unfettered report and recommendations into a tragic accident and, for once, something of meaningful value will be gained from the investigators efforts. I can stand the wait, it may be worth it this time..."

Good point you make "K" and I suspect you are probably correct..

However given the ATSB's less than stellar track record with lack of transparency and delay with other higher profile investigations; like the Mildura fog duck-up; the yet to be completed VARA ATR broken tail investigation; and even the MH370 cock-up/cover-up; you must admit the ATSB is not off to a good start, when even the preliminary report has been delayed by over a week...

The following article is further to the previous News Corp article:     

Widow of Texan golfer John Washburn killed in Essendon plane crash overwhelmed by support

Staff writers, News Corp Australia Network
March 29, 2017 12:00am

EXCLUSIVE
A MEMORIAL service for the last of four Texan golfers killed in the Essendon air disaster was held on the eve of the release of a report into how they died.

Retired businessman John Washburn was farewelled by hundreds who gathered on Tuesday for a “celebration of life” in a Dallas art gallery.

Among the mourners were the widows of Washburn’s good friends, retired lawyer Russell Munsch, former FBI agent Greg De Haven and former energy CEO Glenn Garland.

RELATED: The three key questions Essendon plane crash report has to answer

John Washburn, who was on a golfing holiday with his friends and partners, was farewelled at a family in Dallas.

The four golfing buddies were killed along with pilot Max Quartermain when the Beechcraft King Air they had chartered to a Tasmanian golf course crashed into Essendon’s DFO shopping centre on February 21.

One friend said Mr Washburn’s wife Denni had been “overwhelmed” by the support she and the other widows had received in Australia, where they had joined their husbands on the “holiday of a lifetime”.

The women were reportedly on their way to go shopping together when they learned of the crash that killed their husbands.

“Denni was just really blown away by how lovely the Australians were. She said that if it weren’t for what had happened she would happily spend a lot more time there,” the friend said.

RELATED: Tributes flow for pilot Max Quartermain

American golfers (from left) John Washburn, Glenn Garland, Russell Munsch and Greg DeHaven at Cape Kidnappers golf course in New Zealand.

Pilot Max Quartermain, 63, died along with four other passengers when his aircraft crashed in to the DFO building near Essendon Airport.

Four passengers and a pilot died when a Super King Air plane crashed into the DFO shopping complex near Essendon Airport.

None of the widows have spoken publicly about the loss of their husbands but they are leaning heavily on each other for support, according to a staffer at the gated Austin golf community where three of the couples lived.

“They have gone together to all the memorials. They are helping each other through this,” the worker said.

Organisers of yesterday’s memorial, which was closed to the media, said they had been overwhelmed by interest in the service for Mr Washburn, who had moved from Dallas to Austin on his retirement.

“Initially we planned for a hundred or so to come but now we are going to have more than double that,” one said.

Dozens of valet parking attendants and several police officers were on hand to direct traffic and control the crowd.

Friends and family arrive at the Celebration of Life ceremony for John Washburn at the Valley House Gallery and Sculpture Garden in Dallas Texas. Picture: Alex Towle

The friend said the families yesterday didn’t want to focus on the cause of the crash.

However, earlier, one relative expressed frustration at the delayed release of the initial ATSB report, which had been due last week.

“We are just waiting. It’s hard because they said they were going to release it and they just put it off,” said Fran Garland, the sister in law of Glenn Garland, last week.

The February crash was Victoria’s worst aviation accident for 30 years.

Mr Quartermain, a veteran pilot, reportedly made two mayday calls shortly after takeoff from nearby Essendon Airport. The plane then careened into the DFO and adjoining JB Hi Fi store, both of which were closed.

"..However, earlier, one relative expressed frustration at the delayed release of the initial ATSB report, which had been due last week.

“We are just waiting. It’s hard because they said they were going to release it and they just put it off,” said Fran Garland, the sister in law of Glenn Garland, last week..."

Good to see the MMSM is keeping the pressure up...



MTF...P2