By Casey Neill
A low-flying plane had Yarra Valley residents ducking for cover and turning to Facebook for answers on Thursday 2 May.
The first queries the Mail spotted emanated from Woori Yallock about 2.45pm, and more from Badger Creek, Yarra Junction, Healesville, Launching Place and Wesburn followed shortly after.
One Badger Creek local said the plane was so low she thought it was going to hit the trees, and others thought the aircraft must have been about to crash land.
The CFA checked on the reports, but told the Mail there were “no signs of distress”.
As some Facebook users guessed, the plane in question was a C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Richmond in Sydney’s North West.
Following a query from the Mail just minutes after the public reports, the RAAF on Friday 3 May confirmed it had conducted low-level flying in the vicinity of Yarra Valley.
“The crew was conducting a training sortie to Tasmania and Victoria,” a response said.
“Low level flying is conducted in accordance with civilian airspace requirements and Defence guidelines, and crews make every effort to remain away from built up areas.
“Defence appreciates the support of the local community when it conducts training activities.”
Information on upcoming aircraft operations can be found at www.airforce.gov.au/operations/flying-operations.
