[Peetwo]

Popinjay releases AO-2024-003 Short, AO-2024-037 Prelim - 

Via PJ media minions, 1st from attributable to DTS Stewie Macleod a short investigation that actually falls six days within the performance indicator for a short investigation. However was it actually necessary for the PJ crew to continue with this investigation and to highlight with yet another bollocks 'attributable to' DTS MR -  :

King Air control issues demonstrate importance of aircraft system knowledge, handbook familiarity



An incident in which a King Air pilot encountered instrument failure and control issues over Western Australia is a reminder of the value of aircraft system knowledge and pilot operating handbook familiarity, an ATSB final report notes.

On 25 January 2024, the twin turboprop King Air C90A aircraft departed Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport for a charter flight to Warburton, with one pilot and two passengers on board.

About half an hour into the flight, operating in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot was cleared by air traffic control to divert left of track to avoid a storm.

With the autopilot in heading mode, the pilot used the heading bug on the horizontal situation indicator to track left. Once past the storm, the pilot changed the heading setting to the right, to re-intercept the original track.

“Unknown to the pilot, the aircraft’s remote gyroscope had failed, resulting in erroneous indications on the horizontal situation indicator,” Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.

This resulted in a sustained, uncommanded right turn.

Observing the aircraft continue to turn right through the selected heading, the pilot disengaged the autopilot and hand-flew the aircraft onto the correct heading.

During the manoeuvring, altitude variations between -400 ft and +900 ft were recorded on ADS‑B tracking services.

Having observed the aircraft deviate laterally and vertically, the monitoring air traffic controller queried the pilot’s intentions several times.

“The combination of manually flying in instrument meteorological conditions, troubleshooting and interactions from ATC resulted in a high workload situation for the pilot,” Mr Macleod observed.

A short time later, contrary to the pilot operating handbook, the pilot re-engaged the autopilot in heading mode, and made continual left inputs to the heading bug to keep the aircraft tracking left. 

“This contributed to high workload and sustained control issues,” Mr Macleod said.

“Additionally, the pilot not making a PAN PAN broadcast to ATC reduced the opportunity for the controller to provide appropriate assistance.”

The pilot elected to return to Kalgoorlie, and landed without incident.

The ATSB’s final report notes the occurrence highlights the value of aircraft system knowledge and pilot operating handbook familiarity in resolving malfunctions.

“This incident emphasises the importance of pilots utilising all options to reduce their workload, including requesting assistance from air traffic services when they recognise an emergency situation developing,” Mr Macleod said.

“Controllers are also reminded that a pilot in difficulty may not immediately alert air traffic services if they are disoriented or focused on flying the aircraft. If a controller assesses they may be able to assist, this should be communicated proactively.”

Read the report: Instrument failure and control issues involving Raytheon Aircraft Company C90A, VH-JEO, 170 km north-east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport, Western Australia, on 25 January 2024

Publication Date:
17/09/2024

Next, from attributable to' DTS Kerri Hughes, the AO-2024-037 Short fatal investigation Prelim report, that was published 54 days past the compliance date for ICAO Annex 13 investigations?? -

ATSB releases Mulgathing sheep spotting accident investigation preliminary report



The ATSB has released its preliminary report from its on-going investigation into a collision with terrain involving a Cessna 172 during mustering at Mulgathing Station in central South Australia.

The preliminary report details factual information established in the investigation’s early evidence collection phase. It does not contain analysis or findings, which will be detailed in the final report to be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

The single-engine Cessna was being used for sheep spotting operations, flown by a solo pilot, on 27 June 2024.
At about 0810 local time, a witness on a motorbike about 500 m away observed the aircraft dive down on what they presumed was a mob of sheep, to an altitude of about 50 ft above the ground, before climbing rapidly, turning to the left and then nosediving towards the ground.

The pilot was fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed in the accident.

ATSB investigators deployed to the site and found the aircraft impacted in about a 70° pitch down attitude, with ground impact marks directly under the nose showing no forward momentum.

“Investigators did not identify any pre-existing faults or pre-impact defects with the aircraft’s flight controls and structure,” Director Transport Safety Kerri Hughes said.

“Additionally, one of the propeller blades showed significant rotational abrasion damage and chord-wise twisting indicating that the engine was driving the propeller under significant power at the time of impact.”

Along with an on-site examination of the wreckage, to-date ATSB investigators have interviewed witnesses and gathered electronic devices from the accident site.

As the investigation progresses, it will include consideration of witness information, and examination of a GPS device recovered from the site, the aircraft’s maintenance history, aircraft weight and balance, performance considerations, meteorological conditions, the impact sequence and survivability.

“Investigators will also consider the conduct of similar flight operations, pilot qualifications and the regulatory requirements for fixed-wing aerial mustering,” Ms Hughes said.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.”

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. 

Read the preliminary report: Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172N, VH-SQO, near Mulgathing, South Australia, on 27 June 2024

Publication Date:
18/09/2024

MTF...P2