[Peetwo]

As way of an update and in relevance to the discussion, I note the following article courtesy of the Adelaide Advertiser:

SA News

The Advertiser learns pilot of tragic Angel flight didn’t have accreditation for foggy conditions

Mitch Mott, Mount Gambier, The Advertiser
June 29, 2017 11:16pm

VETERAN pilot Grant Gilbert did not possess the proper accreditations to take off in foggy and cloudy conditions which enveloped Mount Gambier at the time of Wednesday’s tragic plane crash, The Advertiser has learnt.

Mr Gilbert is understood not to have been accredited with an “instrument flight rules rating” which a pilot would have required to fly in poor visibility.

The 78-year old pilot, based in the Adelaide Hills, was volunteering his time to take teenager Emily Redding and her mother Tracy on an Angel Flight from Mount Gambier to Adelaide about 10am Wednesday.


Pilot Grant Gilbert. Picture: Facebook

Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators on Thursday scoured the wreckage of the Socata TB-10 Tobago aircraft, which crashed in a paddock about 3km from the airport.

The ill-fated Angel Flight took off in what were described as “foggy, wet and cold” conditions, which grounded flights by commercial airline Regional Express.

While Mr Gilbert was accredited to take off, fly and land in conditions of clear visibility or broken cloud cover, The Advertiser understands he was not permitted to do so in fog, heavy cloud cover, or at night.

Mr Gilbert would have needed instrument flight rules, or IFR accreditation, to show he was trained and tested in flying in such conditions by using only the instruments within the aircraft.

Most commercial pilots have the advanced accreditation, which is often costly and requires aircraft be equipped with tested and up to date navigational instruments.
ATSB senior investigator Laura Henwood said a “no blame” approach would be taken during the probe and its findings would be used to improve transport safety.

“Shortly after take off from Mount Gambier, the aircraft made a left turn and impacted the terrain ... witnesses reported seeing fog in the area at the time,” she said.

ATSB investigators and Major Crash Police examining the scene of the crash in Suttontown. Picture: MATT LOXTON

Ms Henwood said investigators would remain on scene for “a number of days” and refused to speculate on the circumstances of the crash.

“We will also examine other factors such as pilot experience, the airworthiness of the aircraft, weather conditions and the co-ordinations of the charity flight,” she said.
Local resident Chantelle Paterson did not see the crash herself, but her three-year-old son Alick remarked “plane falls Mum” as they walked to playgroup at the time of the tragedy.

“My son kept telling me he saw a falling plane,” she said. “I didn’t believe him until later that day when we found out and I realised what he was trying to tell me.”
Any other eyewitnesses should call the ATSB on 1800 020 616.

MTF...P2