Eric Roulston: Pilot, 67, who died in light Ogilvie plane crash lost son in 2008 aviation disaster

The pilot who died in a light plane crash north of Geraldton on Friday had a son who died in a similar aviation tragedy 17 years ago. Eric Roulston, 67, was known as a stalwart of the regional aviation scene who ran a charter business out of Shark Bay. It is understood that Mr Roulston was the pilot of the two-seater Cessna 150 which crashed near Ogilvie West Road in Ogilvie, about 100km north of Geraldton, on Friday morning. Mr Roulston, the 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. Police on Tuesday released a photograph of the wreckage which shows the aircraft completely crumpled in remote bushland. In a tragic family twist, it can be revealed that Mr Roulston lost his 23-year-old son Bradleigh, also a pilot, in a crash between a light plane and helicopter during a goat-culling operation 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 Super Cub light aircraft Bradleigh was flying and a Robinson R44 helicopter collided mid-air. The Super Cub was owned by Mr Roulston Sr’s business at the time Norwest Air Work, which was carrying out a contract to help the DEC cull feral goats. 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. Eric, Bradleigh’s father, continued in the family business and runs a successful charter business in Exmouth, Norwest Air Work,” he said. “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.” Mr Roulston gave evidence at a coronial inquest into the deaths in 2013. 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. 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.” In the Pilbara Regional Biosecurity Group’s 2018-19 annual report, it states Mr Roulston was contracted to provide a plane and pilot for aerial baiting. “Eric Roulston’s experience with the Pilbara region, and knowledge of airstrip locations and conditions was invaluable,” the report stated. On its website, Shark Bay Aviation says it has been providing air services throughout the Gascoyne, Pilbara, Murchison and Kimberley regions 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. It’s understood locals and friends knew Mr Roulston Sr by the nickname of “Rollo”. Online tributes have included “RIP Rollo” and that he was a “great man” and an “experienced pilot”. While providing scenic charter flights over stunning landscapes was their core business, Shark Bay Aviation also helped in other ventures, such as conservation efforts to save a tiny marsupial species known as dibblers by transporting them from Perth to Shark Bay on their way to Dirk Hartog Island. Mr Roulston was the only person on board the two-seater Cessna 150 when it crashed. His route and intended destination remains unclear. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has completed its onsite investigation into the fatal crash. On Monday, an ATSB spokesperson confirmed investigators from Brisbane and Melbourne had visited the crash site and completed its onsite investigation and evidence collection on Sunday. “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,” a spokesperson said. “Investigators will also seek to interview relevant parties and collect any recorded information including available flight-tracking data, as well as pilot and aircraft maintenance records and weather information.” The investigation is still ongoing. It is expected the ATSB probe could take up to nine months to complete. Police will also prepare a report for the Coroner.