Friends pay tribute to Ogilvie fatal light plane crash victim, skilled and experienced pilot Eric Roulston

The man who died in a light plane crash north of Geraldton last week has been remembered by friends as an “exceptional man” and a “phenomenal pilot” who lost his life doing what he loved — in his favourite plane. Eric Roulston, known by his loved ones as “Rollo”, was the pilot of a two-seater Cessna 150 that crashed near Ogilvie, about 100km north of Geraldton, on Friday morning. The 67-year-old owner and chief pilot of Shark Bay Aviation died at the scene. A member of the public spotted the wreckage and alerted emergency services about 11.15am. Mr Roulston was the only person on board. Police released an image on Tuesday of the wreckage site on relatively sparse and flat farmland, showing the crumpled light aircraft with the business logo still visible on the tail. In a tragic twist, Mr Roulston’s 23-year-old son Bradleigh, also a pilot, lost his life in a similar aviation tragedy 17 years ago. It’s understood Mr Roulston’s wife was overseas on holiday with friends at the time, and flew home the next day after the heartbreaking news was broken to her. Close friend Jamie Morgan said the aviation stalwart would be “sadly missed” by family, friends and his community. “Such a fantastic bloke, always doing things for everybody,” he said. “It’s amazing the accident actually happened because that guy could fly an aeroplane with no wings ... he was a fantastic pilot. “He was just liked by everybody.” Mr Morgan said Mr Roulston, who worked extensively in the North West and Gascoyne over many decades, could handle flying in difficult conditions “with ease”. Another close friend Andrew Morgan paid tribute to “my mate Rollo”, thanking him for his hard work dedication as well as his “friendship, laughs and all the incredible memories.” “In difficult times such as this, I find myself looking for some positives, to know that you passed while doing what you loved and in your favourite plane is a small consolation,” he said. “I am sure many, if not all in the WA aviation community who knew you will agree that you were an exceptional man and a phenomenal pilot. The incredible amount of hours flown, the professionalism and consistency you conducted yourself is a credit to you. “I know you loved flying the floatplanes for us out to the Montebello Islands for all those years, I can safely say I couldn’t have chosen a more talented and capable individual to do what was all too often a very challenging task.” A spokesperson for the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort said their deepest condolences went to Mr Roulston’s family, friends and colleagues at “this incredibly difficult time”. “Eric had a great passion for aviation and tourism and was well known and respected throughout Shark Bay. He will be sincerely missed,” they said. In February 2008, young pilot Bradleigh Roulston died in a crash in the Gascoyne in February 2008. Bradleigh and Daniel Kean, a 39-year-old spotter for the Department of Environment and Conservation, died when the light aircraft Bradleigh was flying and a helicopter collided mid-air during a goat culling operation. The plane was owned by Mr Roulston’s business at the time, Norwest Air Work. Mr Roulston gave evidence in 2013 at a coronial inquest into the deaths. Then-Mining and Pastoral MLC Vince Catania told Parliament in February 2008 that Bradleigh Roulston was following a family career of flying and pursuing his dream. “His grandfather Rollo pioneered the art of aerial mustering from the Gascoyne to the Kimberley,” he said. “Eric, Bradleigh’s father, continued in the family business and runs a successful charter business in Exmouth, Norwest Air Work. “Bradleigh joined his father some 12 months ago and his life’s ambition was realised ... the Gascoyne region lost two young men in the prime of their lives.” It’s understood Mr Roulston and his wife took over Shark Bay Aviation and moved from Exmouth to Denham in 2016. Shark Bay Aviation’s fleet includes four different types of light aircraft, including the Cessna 150, its smallest and used for spotting and mustering operations. On the business website, it states the Cessna 150 is a “small two-seater with five hours endurance (and) is our main pilot spotter plane for all aerial operations, and mustering operations.” On its website, it states it has been providing air services throughout the Gascoyne, Pilbara, Murchison and Kimberley for the past 30 years. “Shark Bay Aviation flight crew are trained to the highest standard. Our commitment to safety and service make us one of the highly regarded charter services in WA,” its website states. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau finished their onsite examination and evidence collection on Sunday after investigators from Brisbane and Melbourne arrived the day before. “Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities, including site and wreckage information, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” an ATSB spokesperson said. “Investigators will also seek to interview relevant parties and collect any recorded information including available flight-tracking data. “Pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information will also be collected.” The ATSB investigation could take up to nine months. Police are also preparing a report for the Coroner.

Friends pay tribute to Ogilvie fatal light plane crash victim, skilled and experienced pilot Eric Roulston

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