Exmouth couple Mal Watt and Samantha Nuttall identified as victims of microlight plane crash

The small North West community of Exmouth has been left heartbroken after a much-loved couple were killed in a horror microlight plane crash south of town. Long-term residents Mal Watt and Samantha Nuttall were reported missing to police about 4.30pm on Wednesday after they failed to return from a flight in a microlight plane. A search operation was launched a short time later with the wreckage of the plane and the couple’s bodies located in Shothole Canyon just a few kilometres from the Exmouth Aerodrome about 6.30pm. The grim recovery operation started at first light on Thursday with the road into the canyon closed while police and aviation authorities investigate. A friend of the couple said the news had shocked the tight-knit community. “We did know them pretty well — I used to play cricket with Mal, and through the business, that is how we know them,” he said. “It is just a shock to everyone. “We wish the family all the best, what more can you say.” Shire of Exmouth president Matt Niikkula said the community would take time to come to terms with the loss of the “well-respected” couple. “Our community has been rocked by this tragic event,” he said. “Our hearts go out to their families and the many, many close friends who are heavily grieving right now. “This is a time to show care and support for each other.” A friend paid tribute on social media, describing the pair as “two genuinely beautiful people who lived life to the absolute fullest”. The couple’s family don’t live in WA but have been notified of the tragedy. Inspector Mark Tobiassen said the crash site was located by spotters in an aircraft before police officers on the ground were able to hike in and located the aircraft and deceased couple. “We secured that scene and stayed with them through the night,” he said. “With the help of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and SES we were able to recover both deceased persons. “We have not been able to formally identify them but we have been working with families. For now the focus is on that identification process so we can bring some closure to the family. “At this stage we don’t know the cause of the crash.” Exmouth is a popular location for microlights with tourism flights operating in the area. Mr Watt was listed as an apprentice flight instructor at Birds Eye View Ningaloo, a local microlight school which is also used to spot whale sharks. Ms Nuttall was also a keen flyer and a loved member of several local community groups. The West Australian’s aviation editor Geoffrey Thomas said microlight aircraft are considerably more dangerous than other forms of aviation. “The Australian Transport Safety Bureau say that it’s 40 times less safe to be on a microlight than a Qantas jet,” he said. “They’re very small, exposed to the elements, turbulence is a big factor in the loss of microlights.” Mr Thomas said it could take the team of investigators several months to determine what happened. “It all depends on what’s left of the aircraft, and some tell-tale signs, it could be engine failure for instance. “Yes, it will impact on tourism potential tourists will look at it and shy away from it. “It’s quite possible, that we’ll never determine what happened, particularly if it’s a weather related event, they hit some severe turbulence and plummeted to the ground, it’s possible that we’ll never know.” Winds at 4pm yesterday were west-south westerley around 22kmh, with gusts up to 33kmh. The town had one day earlier experienced its first major downpour since May last year and it's wettest day since June, 2018.

Exmouth couple Mal Watt and Samantha Nuttall identified as victims of microlight plane crash

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