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Popinjay to the rescue: Caboolture midair prelim report released?? 

Via PJ HQ another pre-prepared (absent media) press release -  :

ATSB releases preliminary report from on-going Caboolture mid-air collision investigation



A preliminary report details factual information established as part of the ATSB’s ongoing investigation into a mid-air collision at Caboolture airfield on the morning of 28 July.

The report does not contain findings but outlines the accident’s sequence of events. It details that a Piper PA-25 glider tug aircraft, with a single pilot on board having just launched a glider, was returning to land from the west on Caboolture’s runway 06, while a Jabiru J430 light aircraft, with a pilot and passenger on board, was preparing to take-off to the south-east from the intersecting runway 11.

A third aircraft, a Cessna 172 was taxiing at the airfield, with a solo student pilot on board, prior to departing on a solo navigation flight.

Caboolture is an ‘aircraft landing area’, which is an airfield that has not been certified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. In addition, it is located within class G non-controlled airspace, where pilots make and monitor radio positional broadcasts on a designated common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) to ensure separation from other aircraft.

Several witnesses monitoring the CTAF recounted hearing the Piper pilot broadcast that they were commencing a final approach to runway 06 and that they would be ‘holding short’, indicating they would not cross the intersection with runway 11/29.

The pilot of the Cessna, meanwhile, reported having turned down the aircraft radio volume to conduct engine run-ups near the intersection of the two runways and had not subsequently restored normal volume. As a result, the pilot did not hear any transmissions from the pilot of the Piper PA-25, and was not aware of the aircraft approaching on runway 06.

Just prior to the Piper touching down, the Cessna taxied across runway 06 ahead of the Piper. The pilot of the Piper initiated a go-around, broadcasting their intention to do so, according to witnesses.
As the Piper began climbing while maintaining the runway 06 heading, the Jabiru lifted off from the intersecting runway 11.

About 5–10 seconds later, while both aircraft were climbing on crossing tracks, the pilot of the Jabiru commenced a left turn, likely in an attempt to avoid a collision.

The two aircraft collided above runway 06, just north-east of the intersection with runway 11, at a height of about 200–300 feet. The Piper PA-25 remained flyable and landed soon afterwards, while the Jabiru J430 collided with the ground near the end of runway 06. Both occupants of the Jabiru aircraft were fatally injured.

“Thanks to CCTV footage, some recorded radio calls, witness accounts, and an examination of the accident site, ATSB investigators have been able to build an understanding of this tragic accident’s sequence of events,” said ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.

“However, I would caution against making any assumptions as to the contributing factors to this accident, and I would note that aviation systems have multiple layers of defence in place to prevent accidents,” he continued.

“Not all radio calls at Caboolture were recorded and our analysis of witnesses recollections of radio calls is continuing, so we are still building our understanding of the nature of the calls made, and giving consideration to a range of other potential factors.”

As the investigation continues, investigators will continue their analysis of aircraft flight paths, with particular attention given to potential visibility restrictions –trees between the intersecting runways partially obscure visibility.

They will also further review aircraft, pilot, aerodrome and operator documentation, analyse procedures at non-controlled aerodromes with intersecting runways, and further examine of aircraft components and other items recovered from the accident site, including two data recording devices from the Jabiru.

A final report, which will include analysis and detail the ATSB’s findings, will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

“However, 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,” Mr Mitchell concluded.

Read the preliminary report: Mid-air collision involving Jabiru J430, VH-EDJ, and Piper PA-25-235, VH-SPA, at Caboolture Airfield, Queensland on 28 July 2023

Publication Date
08/09/2023

PDF version: https://www.atsb.gov.au/sites/default/fi...nary_1.pdf

The occurrence

On the morning of 28 July 2023, the pilot of a Piper PA-25, registered VH-SPA and operated by Caboolture Gliding Club, took off from runway 061 at Caboolture Airfield, Queensland, with a glider in tow. It was a clear day with light winds. This was the pilot’s second flight of the day, having previously completed one prior glider aerotow in VH-SPA. After the glider was released, the pilot of VH-SPA entered the circuit for runway 06, with the intention of landing so that the aircraft could be used to tow a third glider into the air.

Caboolture Airfield was located within class G (non-controlled) airspace, and had a designated common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) on which pilots made positional broadcasts when operating within the vicinity of the airport. To date no recordings of radio transmissions from any aircraft on the ground at Caboolture around the time of the accident have been identified (see Recorded data). Witness recollections of radio transmissions are being collated and analysed by the ATSB.

Some transmissions from aircraft in flight were recorded. While in the circuit, the pilot of VH-SPA made several radio calls on the CTAF, the last of which was at about 1030:19 and was partially recorded. According to several witnesses who heard the transmission, the pilot announced that VH-SPA was commencing a final approach to runway 06 and stated that the aircraft would be ‘holding short’, indicating that it would not be crossing the intersection with runway 11/29.

At about 1030:44, while VH-SPA was on final approach, the pilot of a Jabiru J430, registered VH-EDJ, began take-off on runway 11. The pilot and passenger were conducting a private flight to Dirranbandi Airport, Queensland.

Also at that time, a Cessna 172, registered VH-EVR, was being taxied at the airfield by a solo student pilot. The pilot of VH-EVR later reported having turned the radio volume down to conduct engine run-ups near the intersection of the two runways and had not restored normal volume upon completion. As a result, the pilot of VH-EVR did not hear any transmissions from the pilot of VH-SPA, and was not aware of the aircraft approaching runway 06.

At 1030:49, just prior to VH-SPA touching down on runway 06, VH-EVR crossed runway 06 ahead of VH-SPA in a north-west direction. The pilot of VH-SPA initiated a go-around, and made an associated radio call (according to several witnesses) which was not recorded.

At 1030:55, VH-SPA began climbing while maintaining a runway 06 heading as VH-EDJ lifted off runway 11 before the runway intersection. About 5–10 seconds later, while the aircraft were climbing on crossing tracks, the pilot of VH-EDJ commenced a left turn, likely in an attempt to avoid a collision.

At 1031:11, the two aircraft collided on similar tracks above runway 06, just north-east of the 06/11 intersection, at a height of about 200–300 feet (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Approximate tracks of VH-EDJ and VH-SPA based on video footage


The leading edge of the inboard left wing of VH-SPA struck VH-EDJ’s right wing at the outboard trailing edge, resulting in separation of the right wing tip and part of the right aileron. VH-EDJ rolled to the right while rapidly losing altitude. VH-EDJ collided with terrain in a nose-down, rightwing-down attitude near the end of runway 06. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.

VH-SPA sustained damage to its left wing in the collision but remained flyable and the pilot was uninjured. The pilot circled the airfield to direct people towards the accident site. The aircraft landed on runway 11 without further incident.

No idea why Popinjay feels the need to step in and interpret these reports for us, instead of letting the report speak for itself?? However at least this prelim is only 12 days in non-compliance with the ICAO Annex 13 30 day to publish rule...  

MTF...P2