07-20-2019, 09:11 AM
(07-20-2019, 08:15 AM)Kharon Wrote: Very short update from ATSB re the latest YAK accident; the fall out and CASA response could be interesting.
And courtesy Ironsider and the Oz:
Graphic wreckage of fatal Queensland plane crash
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released a confronting image of the remains of a light aircraft that crashed off southeast Queensland last month, killing the pilot and passenger.
A preliminary report on the crash of the Yakovlev Yak-52 said the wreckage was indicative of a high speed impact.
Private pilot Marcel van Hattem was taking friend Trista Applebee for a 30-minute joyflight on the morning of June 5 ahead of her 32nd birthday the following day.
When they failed to return to Southport airfield after the designated time, a second passenger waiting for a turn, raised the alarm with members of the Southport Flying Club.
Just after 1pm, Airservices Australia was contacted by club members, and within an hour the Australian Maritime Safety Authority initiated search and rescue operations.
Later that afternoon part of a propeller was found on the eastern side of South Stradbroke Island.
More wreckage was found in the following days, including the left side of the fuselage, part of the right wing and propeller pieces, along with the bodies of the pilot and passenger.
The report said Mr van Hattem held a private pilot licence and a class 2 aviation medical certificate, and had received both aerobatic and spinning endorsements in January.
His logbook indicated he had 490-hours of flying experience, including 38-hours in the Yak-52 registered VH-PAE.
Records show the aircraft had undergone maintenance five days before the crash, and had accumulated 1164 hours of total time in service.
The report did not reach any conclusions on why the plane crashed with investigators to look further into recovered aircraft components, maintenance records, pilot experience, weather conditions and witness reports.
The ATSB acknowledged the assistance of the Queensland Police Service, and said the final report should be completed in the first quarter of next year.