A serious aircraft accident at Parafield Airport has brought emergency operations to Adelaide’s northern suburbs after a twin-engine light plane crashed into a hangar during an attempted landing, leaving injuries reported and forcing the airport to shut down all air traffic.
The crash happened about 2:10pm on Wednesday near Kings Road, with police and emergency crews called after reports that the aircraft had collided with a building inside the airport precinct. Authorities have not yet confirmed how many people were on board the plane or whether anyone was inside the hangar at the time of impact.
South Australia Police said injuries had been reported at the scene, though confirmed numbers were not immediately available. The surrounding area was evacuated as firefighters, paramedics and police moved in, while airport operations were suspended.
Smoke, Fire and Evacuations After Hangar Impact
The crash sent thick black smoke into the air, with witnesses describing a sudden impact followed by a rapidly growing fire. Smoke could be seen spreading across parts of the airport, including near hangars and runway areas, as emergency vehicles entered the site.
Dozens of student pilots and aviation workers were moved away from the immediate area. Parafield Airport is a major training and general aviation centre north of Adelaide’s CBD, meaning there were many people on site when the incident unfolded.
One eyewitness said the aircraft appeared to struggle before dropping sharply over buildings and crashing near the hangar. He described hearing the plane change pitch before it tilted downward and disappeared from view, followed by the sound of impact.
Another local observer reported seeing several fire trucks heading into the airport as smoke poured from the hangar area. While flames were not clearly visible from outside, the heavy smoke raised concern about burning fuel or materials inside the structure.
The Metropolitan Fire Service issued health advice for people nearby, warning them to stay indoors if affected by smoke. Residents were advised to close windows and doors and seek medical help if they experienced breathing difficulties.
ATSB Opens Investigation Into Diamond DA42 Crash
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has opened a formal transport safety investigation into the accident. The aircraft has been identified as a twin-engine Diamond DA42, a model commonly used in flight training and multi-engine pilot instruction.
Investigators from Canberra and Brisbane are expected to examine the wreckage, airport environment, aircraft components, maintenance history and operational circumstances. Their work will also consider human factors, aircraft performance and survival factors.
At this stage, no official cause has been determined. Aviation crash investigations normally take time because investigators must collect physical evidence, interview witnesses, review communications and examine whether mechanical, environmental or operational issues played a role.
Parafield Airport confirmed the airport had been closed to all air traffic and said it would support emergency services during the response. Police Major Crash officers were also sent to the scene as part of the broader investigation.
The incident is likely to attract close attention because it is the second light aircraft crash at Parafield in recent months. In January, another plane crashed while landing at the airport and caught fire on impact, though the pilot escaped without injury.
Parafield sits about 15 to 18 kilometres north of central Adelaide and is widely used by flight schools, private operators and aviation businesses. Because training airports handle frequent take-offs and landings, even a single incident can cause major disruption and concern among students, instructors and local residents.
The immediate priority remains the treatment of injured people, fire control and site safety. Once the crash scene is secured, investigators will begin the detailed process of determining why the aircraft struck the hangar while attempting to land.
For readers following aviation safety developments, related coverage is available here: aviation news and transport safety updates.
More information is expected as police, emergency services and the ATSB complete their early assessments. Until then, authorities have asked the public to avoid the airport area and allow crews to continue their work safely.
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