Coroner criticises 'careless' pilot for crash that killed three children on Maroochydore beach in 1950 Three children died and 14 people were injured when an RAAF Wirraway crashed at Maroochydore Beach on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on New Year's Eve 1950. A RE-OPENED inquest into the 1950 RAAF Wirraway crash at Maroochydore has identified careless flying and an unsuitable aircraft as key factors in the tragedy that killed three children. Liam O'Connor, 11, Graham Blair, 6, and Pauline Probert, 6, died when the plane, on shark patrol duties, slammed into the sand during the Christmas holidays. The aircraft tore into one group of beachgoers sitting near the patrol tower, bounced over another and ploughed into the sand, spraying fleeing bathers with hot oil. They continued with their careers and have since died. A series of RAAF inquiries and an inquest in 1951 failed to attribute blame. A crusade by retired Customs investigator Brian O'Connor, brother of victim Liam, gained the support of Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie who ordered a new look. Crash victim Liam O'Connor with his mum, Julia. Coroner John Lock said that under the provisions of the 1958 Act he was prohibited from making a finding on "civil or criminal liability." However, while he was prevented from finding the pilot negligent he was critical of his actions and poor preparation. Mr Lock said the RAAF had made a "flawed decision" to send a Wirraway, an aircraft with an infamous reputation, on an unsuitable civilian mission. He was satisfied that it had been flying over the beach, which was against instructions, when it stalled due to the pilot overbanking with insufficient speed at low altitude. In his findings, the Coroner attributed the crash to irresponsible and careless flying, the pilot being untrained in aerial activities of this sort, flying an aircraft unsuited for the task, or "a combination of all or some of these factors." Barry and Brian O'Connor (right), who lost their younger brother Liam at age eleven, are pictured at the crash memorial at Maroochydore Surf Club. Picture: Megan Slade. Mr O'Connor said he had mixed feelings about the outcome, but understood the legal constraints faced by Coroner Lock. He said he still believed the pilot and crewmen had fabricated a story about seeing a shark to cover up their low-flying actions. I'm very relieved this is over and there's certainly a degree of satisfaction. A new inquest criticised Wirraway pilot Herbert Thwaites for careless flying that led to horror crash. I'm happy with the Coroner's strong wording relating to the terrible decision to use a Wirraway and to send a pilot and crewman who were clearly not prepared for the job. They (RAAF) closed ranks at the time, rushed the investigation and covered things up. If it had been a well-run organisation back then, this would never have happened.