Shire of Ravensthorpe endorses aero club’s concept for crashed plane tail display

The tail of a Boeing 737 water bomber which crashed while battling a blaze near Hopetoun could soon become the town’s latest tourist attraction.

The aircraft crashed in Fitzgerald River National Park in February 2023 — but, miraculously, the two crew on board survived unscathed.

The incident marked the first loss a 737 aircraft on Australian soil.

The aircraft’s charred tail was gifted to the Shire of Ravensthorpe which called for community ideas on how to display the relic.

The council considered the matter behind closed doors at Tuesday’s council meeting and endorsed Mt Short Hopetoun Aero Club as the preferred proposal submission.

The club’s idea was to reassemble the tail and display it at the Hopetoun aerodrome entrance on Hopetoun-Ravensthorpe Road.

The words “A tail to tell” would be inscribed on the relic — which measures 14 metres wide and 10 metres high — and an information board erected.

Club member Colin Hughes said the attraction would stand as a reminder of the “strength and tenacity” of firefighters who risked their lives to assist the community.

“It’s in recognition of the aerial firefighters and those on the ground,” he said.

The shire said it would work with the aero club to develop a business case including costings and potential funding.

The project will then go back to council for further consideration.

Mr Hughes said a lot of work was required to prepare the tail for public display.

“Structurally it’s ok but cosmetically it’s a little bit shabby,” he said.

“We’re very grateful to the shire that they’ve accepted our proposal.”