ATSB | George Hatcher's Air Flight Disaster

Missing Plane Found Crashed, Pilot Death on Impact

GJHatcher — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 18:19:51 +0000

On Oct 23, 2013, a Kestrel Aviation Cessna 182Q Skylane en route from Moruya Airport to Mangalore Airport in Australia was en route when it developed problems. The pilot at left 8.15am on Wednesday and never arrived in Mangalore Australia. Five aircraft searched unsuccessfully for the missing plane on Wednesday. An unconfirmed sighting narrowed the search parameters to Mt. Hotham. Eight helicopters and two planes searched Thursday morning until the wreckage was found at 8.40am on Thursday by a search helicopter that was also employing “radar and mobile data.”

The ATSB is investigating the fatal plane crash. The only one aboard was the pilot, whose injuries were fatal.

The impact occurred near Mt Hotham, Victoria.

An Australian attorney told the press that the pilot, 60-year-old Peter Brereton from Euroa was killed in a light plane crash on his way back from dropping off spare parts for a helicopter used in the fire fighting efforts on the far south coast of NSW.

A specialized team of 4 ATSB investigators with expertise in mechanical and aeronautical engineering, materials failure and aircraft operations began investigation #AO-2013-186, a four day examination of the wreckage on the 25th, (friday).

The post Missing Plane Found Crashed, Pilot Death on Impact first appeared on George Hatcher's Air Flight Disaster.

Skydiving Plane Crashes Electrical Cable Before Event

GJHatcher — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 04:47:58 +0000

An Oulton Investments Pty Ltd Cessna 182A Skyline was en route to fly for a skydiving company that hired the plane for a Christmas party at the Flame Lily Adventures park. A Santa Skydiving event was planned. While en route, the plane struck four electricity transmission lines, cutting power to 1600 homes.

The plane crashed in Barrum Heads, Queensland north of Hervey Bay, and caught on fire. Three fire crews responded to put out the blaze as well as three police crews, including an inspector and the forensic crash unit. The 59 year old pilot died in the crash.

According to the ATSB:

The ATSB is investigating a fatal accident involving a Cessna 182A aircraft (registration VH-SBG) that occurred near Burrum Heads, Queensland on 17 December 2012.
Update 18 December 2012
ATSB investigators arrived on the accident site this morning.
The investigators are seeking witness reports including any video footage that might assist the investigation. Witnesses can call the ATSB on 1800 020 616.

17 December 2012
It was reported that the aircraft struck a powerline before colliding with terrain. The pilot—the only person on board the aircraft—died in the accident.

Four ATSB investigators (with specialisations in engineering and aircraft operations) are expected to arrive on the accident site tomorrow morning.

Over the next three days of the on-site investigation, the team will be interviewing witnesses and examining the wreckage and accident site, including the powerline.

More information will be posted on this page as it comes to hand.

The post Skydiving Plane Crashes Electrical Cable Before Event first appeared on George Hatcher's Air Flight Disaster.

Qantas Near Miss over Darwin Under ATSB Investigation

GJHatcher — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:43:04 +0000

What: Qantas Boeing 737-800 en route from Darwin to Melbourne
What: Qantas Boeing 717 arriving en route from Alice Springs to Darwin
Where: Darwin
When: Oct 2, 2012
Who: (up to) 295 aboard
Why: Two Qantas flights came to within 250 metres of each other over Darwin were caught not by the human ATC, but only by the traffic collision avoidance system on board the plane from Alice Springs. The system reported the other plane was 247 metres below.

An investigation is currently underway to determine if the Darwin a defence air traffic controller sent the jets on a collision course.

The Qantas-badged 717 was operated by Cobham, a flight contractor.

See the ATSB Investigation on Loss of separation assurance VH-NXQ / QFA A839, near Darwin NT, 2 October 2012 Investigation Number:AO-2012-131

The post Qantas Near Miss over Darwin Under ATSB Investigation first appeared on George Hatcher's Air Flight Disaster.

Final Report on Helicopter Crash

GJHatcher — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 20:15:27 +0000

What: DAVCRON PTY LTD Bell 206
Where: South Turramurra near the Canoon Rd netball courts
When: July 20121
Who: 2 fatalities
Why: The pilot had picked his passenger to take him to Sydney Adventist Hospital apparently without checking weather reports which resulted in the Bell helicopter crashing in a cliff. Inclement weather and hazardous conditions in Lane Cove National Park led to the decision to call off the recovery operation on July 22, 2012, the same inclement conditions which caused the accident. Businessman Bruce Campbell, 65, and freelance pilot Colin Greenwood died in the crash at the foot of 15m cliff in Lane Cove National Park.

The post Final Report on Helicopter Crash first appeared on George Hatcher's Air Flight Disaster.