[Peetwo]

Popinjay to the rescue - Will investigate midair...this time?? 

Fatal midair crash Caboolture - RIP! 

Via the ABC:

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Police Minister Mark Ryan and Queensland police's Superintedent Paul Ready say two people have died in a collision between two light aircraft at Caboolture Airfield, north of Brisbane Subscribe: http://ab.co/1svxLVE Read more here: https://rb.gy/3t4ok

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Via PJ HQ:

Caboolture aircraft collision
The ATSB has launched a transport safety investigation into a collision between two single-engine light aircraft at Caboolture Airport, Queensland on Friday.

It was reported that the collision occurred shortly after 10:30 am local time, when a Jabiru J430 was taking off from one runway while a Piper Pawnee was landing on a crossing runway.

Tragically, both occupants of the Jabiru were fatally injured. The Pawnee pilot was uninjured.
Investigators from the ATSB’s Brisbane office arrived on site this afternoon, while additional investigators from Canberra will be on-site tomorrow morning.

Investigators will begin gathering evidence by mapping the accident site, examining the aircraft wreckage, interviewing the surviving pilot and witnesses, and collecting relevant recorded information such as any CCTV footage and flight tracking data.

The ATSB asks anyone who witnessed the accident, or may have video footage of either aircraft at any phase of their flights, to make contact via the witness form on our website: atsb.gov.au/witness at their earliest opportunity.

The ATSB anticipates publishing a preliminary report, which will detail factual information established during the investigation’s initial evidence collection phase, in approximately 6-8 weeks (P2 - In contravention to ICAO Annex 13).

The ATSB will publish a final report, detailing contributing factors and any identified safety issues, at the conclusion of the investigation.

However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.

Date
28/07/2023

Also from PJ HQ:

Runway excursion involving Piper PA-31-350 VH-XMM at Essendon Airport, Victoria on 21 July 2023

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a runway excursion involving a Piper PA-31-350, registered VH-XMM, at Essendon Airport, Victoria, on 21 July 2023. 

During the take-off roll, the aircraft reportedly struck and damaged 4 lights on the runway edge, resulting in minor damage to the aircraft. The pilot subsequently rejected the take-off. 

The evidence collection phase of the investigation will involve interviewing the pilot, retrieving and reviewing recorded data, and the collection of other relevant evidence.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.

Plus attributed to this week's DTS Dr Godlike:

R22 accident highlights risks of dark night flight, hazards of accidents in remote locations



A helicopter accident in Arnhem Land highlights the risks to VFR pilots of flying after last light, and the potentially fatal consequences of survivable accidents in remote locations, an ATSB investigation report details.[/size]

The pilot of a Robinson Helicopter Company R22 had been part of a multi-vehicle animal mustering operation in the Arafura Swamp, south of Ramingining, Northern Territory, on 14 November 2022.

After the mustering had concluded for the day, members of the mustering operation began departing the swamp and it was expected the pilot would depart shortly to pick up another member of the group, before continuing to the camp.

However, when other members of the mustering operation arrived at camp, the pilot and helicopter were not there.

Realising that the pilot was missing and becoming increasingly concerned about the pilot’s welfare, the mustering group subsequently commenced a search using land vehicles, before organising an aerial search the following morning.

The wreckage of the helicopter was subsequently located at about 1300 on 15 November, about 6 km from the mustering camp. The pilot was found deceased outside the aircraft, and the helicopter was destroyed.

The pilot held a Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter), but was not qualified for flight in non-visual conditions, and the helicopter was not equipped for night flight.

On the evening of 14 November last light occurred at 1858. Considering the location of the accident site, the pilot probably flew easterly from the camp, facing away from the setting sun. There was no ground-based lighting in the area, and cloudy conditions associated with a nearby storm may have also reduced visibility.

“The ATSB investigation found that the accident flight occurred after nautical twilight and in dark night conditions. The pilot likely became spatially disoriented, leading to a collision with terrain,” said ATSB Director Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley.

ATSB research and investigation reports regularly refer to the dangers of flying after last light without the appropriate qualifications and equipment to do so.

“Dark night conditions provide no useable external visual cues and in these environments all VFR pilots, including those with endorsement to operate under the night VFR, will experience an increased risk of spatial disorientation,” said Dr Godley.

“The ATSB encourages all VFR pilots to take note of the tragic consequences associated with dark night flight in this accident.

“Landing 10 minutes before last night provides reliable method for VFR pilots to ensure they have the necessary visual cues.”

A pathologist’s report found that the injuries sustained by the pilot in the collision were probably not fatal, and that the pilot probably succumbed to environmental exposure.

After the collision, it is likely the pilot manoeuvred out of the seat belt, outside of the damaged helicopter which was laying on its side. With injuries reducing the pilot’s mobility, the pilot likely planned to wait for rescue. The day time conditions were hot and humid.   

While the helicopter was equipped with a manually activated personal locator beacon, the beacon was secured to the inside of the helicopter, and the pilot was probably unable to access it once outside the helicopter after the collision.

The ATSB found that the combination of the personal locator beacon not being activated and authorities not being notified when the aircraft was missing resulted in a delay to the pilot being located before succumbing to environmental exposure after sustaining survivable injuries in the accident.

Dr Godley noted that the investigation highlights how remote locations can present an increased risk of fatal consequences from otherwise survivable accidents.

“Pilots operating in remote locations should carefully consider the use and location of equipment such as a personal locator beacon, to maximise the likelihood it will be accessible to them in the event of an accident,” he said.

Read the ATSB’s report: Collision with terrain involving Robinson Helicopter Company R22 Beta, VH-LOS, 36 km south of Ramingining, Northern Territory, on 14 November 2022

MTF...P2