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Hoody issues SR for Caboolture C206 fatal accident -  

Via the ATSB news webpage:

Fatal accident prompts safety recommendations for skydiving operations

A multi-fatal accident involving a Cessna U206G aircraft has resulted in the ATSB issuing recommendations to improve the safety of skydiving operations in Australia.

https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/5773102/ca...2017-1.mp4

The 22 March 2014 accident occurred when the aircraft was conducting tandem parachuting operations at Caboolture in Queensland. On board were the pilot, two parachuting instructors and two tandem parachutists.

Shortly after take-off, the aircraft climbed to about 200 feet before aerodynamically stalling and colliding with the ground. Tragically, all five died in the accident.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood said the investigation report, released today, reveals that extensive fire damage prevented examination and testing of most of the aircraft components.

“Due to the post-impact damage to the aircraft, we couldn’t rule out a mechanical defect as a contributor to this accident,” Mr Hood said.

“Importantly, our investigation did uncover a number of safety issues associated with occupant restraint, modification of parachuting aircraft and scope for improving the risk controls associated with parachuting operations.”

In response to the ATSB’s investigation, the Australian Parachute Federation (APF) and Australia’s aviation safety regulator, CASA, undertook action to improve safety of parachuting operations.

“The APF mandated that all member clubs/operations have their own safety management system to proactively assess and mitigate risks. The APF has also enhanced their audit process and increased the number of full-time safety personnel to audit their member organisations.” Mr Hood said.

“The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has increased the available information on their website about the risks associated with sports aviation. CASA also introduced an Airworthiness Bulletin to provide guidance about co-pilot side flight control modifications.

“We welcome APF’s and CASA’s safety action but consider more can be done to improve safety for skydiving operations.”

In response to an identified safety issue, the ATSB recommends that CASA take safety action to increase the fitment of the Cessna secondary pilot seat stop modification. This safety issue affects all Cessna Aircraft and not just those being used for parachuting operations.

In addition, it is recommended that CASA introduce measures to reduce the risk associated with the aviation aspect of parachuting operations.

As well, the ATSB recommends CASA and the APF increase the use of dual-point restraints in parachuting aircraft.

Under legislation, APF and CASA have 90 days to respond to the ATSB’s recommendations.

Read the full investigation report AO-2014-053
 



Last update 23 June 2017

 

Update: Via the Brisbane Times...

June 26 2017 - 9:32PM

Safety lessons learned from fatal skydiving plane crash at Caboolture Airfield

• [/url]Toby Crockford
  [url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/by/Toby-Crockford-gr3iis]
  

Three years ago, a light plane carrying skydivers stalled shortly after takeoff and plummeted to the ground, resulting in an inferno at Caboolture Airfield that killed five people.

After extensive investigations by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, a number of safety issues were identified regarding the pilot seat and skydiver restraints.

The aftermath of the skydiving plane crash at Caboolture Airfield which killed five people in 2014. Photo: Seven News  

A pilot, two skydiving instructors and two amateur skydivers perished when the Cessna U206G aircraft, registered VH-FRT, crashed and burst into flames on the morning of March 22, 2014.

The victims were Beenleigh couple Joseph King and Rahi Hohua, experienced instructors Glenn Norman and Juraj Glesk and young pilot Andrew Aitken. 

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• 
  Caboolture plane crash remains a mystery
  
  

The final report into the crash was released by the ATSB on Friday and despite not determining a cause of the crash, mainly due the almost complete destruction of the fuselage, it did make several significant safety recommendations.

Despite being mandatory, according to the aircraft manufacturer, for the pilot's seat to have a secondary seat stop modification to prevent movement and potential loss of control, it was not fitted to the light plane and was not required Australian regulations. 

Some Cessna 206 parachuting aircraft, including VH-FRT, also had their flight control systems modified without proper checks or approvals and this increased the risk of flight control obstruction.

 

MTF...P2