FED: Retrieval arrangements of crewmen s bodies planned

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-1999
FED: Retrieval arrangements of crewmen s bodies planned

BRISBANE, April 20 AAP - Retrieval arrangements for the bodies of two RAAF airmen killed
when their F-111 crashed in Malaysia early this week will be made in consultation with their
families, the air force said today.

The cockpit containing the bodies of pilot Flight Lieutenant Anthony Short, 31, and
navigator Squadron Leader Stephen Hobbs, 33, was found in dense jungle yesterday.

The plane had crashed into a mountain on the tiny island of Aur off the Malaysian east
coast.

The downed plane was one of two F-111s involved in a simulated attack on a navy flotilla in
the South China Sea when the accident happened at about 10.30pm (AEST) Sunday, about an hour
after leaving the Butterworth Air Force base near Penang.

Defence force spokesman Phil Smith said the families of the dead airmen would be contacted
today to make arrangements for the retrieval of the bodies.

"The RAAF is going to great lengths as we always do to try to care for the families of the
members and the wider air force family," he told ABC Radio.

Flight Lieutenant Smith said the dense jungle surrounding the crash site had hampered the
search for the wreckage.

At this stage it was too soon to speculate on the cause of the crash, he said, but an
accident investigation squad was due to arrive at the scene early today.

"They will start to piece it (events leading to the accident) together," he said.

"That process is going to take some weeks."

Defence Minister John Moore has called for a comprehensive report on the crash.

AAP bja/jhm/trm/br

KEYWORD: F111 SECOND DAYLEAD

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