[Peetwo]

An aircraft crashed into the Swan River, Perth..

A PLANE has crashed into the Swan River hours before the annual Australia Day Skyworks show is due to kick off.

The incident happened just after 5pm.

It is unclear whether the crash will affect the Skyworks show, which was due to start at 8pm.

More to come.

Further Update.

Again courtesy ABC online  :

Australia Day Perth plane crash: Special approval given to air show, CASA says
By Rebecca Turner

Posted 9 minutes ago Fri 27 Jan 2017, 6:36pmvideos

Video: Plane crashes into Swan River during Australia Day air show (ABC News)

As the search for answers continues over a fatal plane crash on Perth's Swan River, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has revealed it does not usually approve air displays over public gatherings or boats on the water.

Key points:

• Cause of fatal plane crash during Australia Day air show in Perth remains unclear
  
• CASA approved all aircraft and pilots as part of regulation of event
  
• Sea plane described as "extremely good machine" by vintage plane expert
  

But the regulatory body said it gave special approval for Thursday's Australia Day air show, during which mining executive Peter Lynch and his colleague and partner Endah Cakrawati plunged to their death in their seaplane.

Their tragic descent was witnessed by thousands of onlookers gathered on the banks of the river and on boats moored nearby.

"Under the regulations, except during take-off and landing, or where specifically approved as part of the program of events, the minimum height at which any aircraft may operate is 500 feet above ground level," a CASA spokeswoman said in a statement.

"Air displays over built-up [suburban] areas, public gatherings and vessels on the surface of a body of water are not normally approved.

"These rules ensure the safety of the public and those involved in the flying display."

Photo: It remains unclear what caused the sea plane to plunge into the water before thousands of onlookers. (Supplied: Michael Legg)

The crash has left aviation experts scratching their heads over the cause.

The show is organised by the City of Perth and regulated by CASA, which has to approve all participating aircraft and pilots.

Passengers are not allowed to be on board, although each pilot is allowed to carry an observer.

Plane an 'extremely good' machine: expert

Aero Club of WA chief executive David Currey said it was the first accident in the history of the air show — with the biggest event on the WA aviation calendar taking a year to organise and choreographed down to the last second.

"CASA put a lot of time and effort into doing their due diligence," he said.

"It was very, very unlucky."

According to vintage plane expert Rob Poynton, the model of plane flown by Mr Lynch — a 1948 Grumman G-73 Mallard — was an "extremely good" machine.
"Just because it's old and used, doesn't mean anything," he said.
"As long as it's had the required maintenance, it's fine."

Pilot spoke about work done on plane

Mr Lynch first started flying about 25 years ago.

Photo: Tributes have been paid to pilot Peter Lynch and his girlfriend Endah Cakrawati, who died in the crash. (Supplied: Halden Boyd)

As he explained to Sydney aviation journalist Phil Buckley in 2013, he bought the airplane in the US in 2011 before undertaking significant flying training and maintenance work with the aircraft.

"The aircraft was in Northern Idaho and I had it ferried to Florida via Covingtion Aircraft in Oklahoma on the way, to get both engines and props fully overhauled," he said.

"It had some work and avionics done in Florida to finish it off before it had to be ferried to Australia."

The Australian Transport and Aviation Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the crash but has indicated it could take a year to complete, potentially leaving the future of the air show in limbo.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the format of the Australia Day event would be reviewed for future years, but the Skyworks show would continue in "some form or another".

RIP..