Latest news with #ATSB
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fatal aircraft crash due to radio, visibility failures
Radio call failures and blocked visibility on two runways likely contributed to a mid-air light plane collision that killed two people, an aviation report has found. Former commercial pilot David Maddern and his wife Jan, both in their 60s, were killed when their Jabiru J430 collided midair with a Piper Pawnee glider tug aircraft on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July 2023. The final Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found Mr Maddern's aircraft was unable to receive or transmit radio calls and trees blocked the view between two runways, saying it likely contributed to the crash. On the fateful morning, the Pawnee aircraft was returning to land at the non-controlled Caboolture aerodrome while Mr Maddern was preparing to depart from an intersecting runway. Pilots at Caboolture rely on making radio calls and visual cues - commonly called "alerted see-and-avoid" - to prevent crashes, safety bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. The Pawnee was due to touch down but then a Cessna 172, piloted by a solo student, crossed the runway and was unaware of the other aircraft. This led the Pawnee to abort the landing by applying power to begin climbing back into the air while radioing other pilots about the decision. But at the same time, Mr Maddern's aircraft lifted off from the intersecting runway. Mr Maddern started a left turn trying to avoid the Pawnee but the two aircraft collided at 130 feet, the ATSB found. The Jabiru plunged to the ground, killing Mr Maddern and his wife Jan. The Pawnee remained flyable despite damage to its left wing and was landed safely by the uninjured pilot. The ATSB investigation found the Pawnee pilot had made multiple radio calls about their intention to land and the decision to abort but did not hear any from Mr Maddern. "Based on the Jabiru pilot's apparent unawareness of the Pawnee until just before the collision, and most witnesses not recalling hearing any calls from the Jabiru throughout the event, it is likely that the Jabiru pilot could not transmit or hear radio calls," Mr Mitchell said. "Because of this, and a stand of trees between the intersecting runways that blocked visibility between them, neither pilot was aware of the other aircraft." The ATSB ruled the aerodrome operator did not effectively manage or inform pilots about the risk of the trees or buildings on the runway that could impact visibility. Since the crash, the aerodrome has prohibited simultaneous runway operations and mandated take-off radio calls. The investigation also found that the regulatory guidance that pilots relied on when using non-controlled aerodromes did not clearly define what an "active runway" was. The chief regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has decided to remove all references to the term "active runway" to prevent confusion. Mr Mitchell said the tragic accident highlights the risk of "see-and-avoid" strategies to prevent crashes. He urged pilots to mitigate the risks of the strategy by using two-way radio calls but also being mindful that communication can be missed or misinterpreted.
West Australian
13 hours ago
- General
- West Australian
Fatal aircraft crash due to radio, visibility failures
Radio call failures and blocked visibility on two runways likely contributed to a mid-air light plane collision that killed two people, an aviation report has found. Former commercial pilot David Maddern and his wife Jan, both in their 60s, were killed when their Jabiru J430 collided midair with a Piper Pawnee glider tug aircraft on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July 2023. The final Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found Mr Maddern's aircraft was unable to receive or transmit radio calls and trees blocked the view between two runways, saying it likely contributed to the crash. On the fateful morning, the Pawnee aircraft was returning to land at the non-controlled Caboolture aerodrome while Mr Maddern was preparing to depart from an intersecting runway. Pilots at Caboolture rely on making radio calls and visual cues - commonly called "alerted see-and-avoid" - to prevent crashes, safety bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. The Pawnee was due to touch down but then a Cessna 172, piloted by a solo student, crossed the runway and was unaware of the other aircraft. This led the Pawnee to abort the landing by applying power to begin climbing back into the air while radioing other pilots about the decision. But at the same time, Mr Maddern's aircraft lifted off from the intersecting runway. Mr Maddern started a left turn trying to avoid the Pawnee but the two aircraft collided at 130 feet, the ATSB found. The Jabiru plunged to the ground, killing Mr Maddern and his wife Jan. The Pawnee remained flyable despite damage to its left wing and was landed safely by the uninjured pilot. The ATSB investigation found the Pawnee pilot had made multiple radio calls about their intention to land and the decision to abort but did not hear any from Mr Maddern. "Based on the Jabiru pilot's apparent unawareness of the Pawnee until just before the collision, and most witnesses not recalling hearing any calls from the Jabiru throughout the event, it is likely that the Jabiru pilot could not transmit or hear radio calls," Mr Mitchell said. "Because of this, and a stand of trees between the intersecting runways that blocked visibility between them, neither pilot was aware of the other aircraft." The ATSB ruled the aerodrome operator did not effectively manage or inform pilots about the risk of the trees or buildings on the runway that could impact visibility. Since the crash, the aerodrome has prohibited simultaneous runway operations and mandated take-off radio calls. The investigation also found that the regulatory guidance that pilots relied on when using non-controlled aerodromes did not clearly define what an "active runway" was. The chief regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has decided to remove all references to the term "active runway" to prevent confusion. Mr Mitchell said the tragic accident highlights the risk of "see-and-avoid" strategies to prevent crashes. He urged pilots to mitigate the risks of the strategy by using two-way radio calls but also being mindful that communication can be missed or misinterpreted.
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
Fatal aircraft crash due to radio, visibility failures
Radio call failures and blocked visibility on two runways likely contributed to a mid-air light plane collision that killed two people, an aviation report has found. Former commercial pilot David Maddern and his wife Jan, both in their 60s, were killed when their Jabiru J430 collided midair with a Piper Pawnee glider tug aircraft on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in July 2023. The final Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found Mr Maddern's aircraft was unable to receive or transmit radio calls and trees blocked the view between two runways, saying it likely contributed to the crash. On the fateful morning, the Pawnee aircraft was returning to land at the non-controlled Caboolture aerodrome while Mr Maddern was preparing to depart from an intersecting runway. Pilots at Caboolture rely on making radio calls and visual cues - commonly called "alerted see-and-avoid" - to prevent crashes, safety bureau Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. The Pawnee was due to touch down but then a Cessna 172, piloted by a solo student, crossed the runway and was unaware of the other aircraft. This led the Pawnee to abort the landing by applying power to begin climbing back into the air while radioing other pilots about the decision. But at the same time, Mr Maddern's aircraft lifted off from the intersecting runway. Mr Maddern started a left turn trying to avoid the Pawnee but the two aircraft collided at 130 feet, the ATSB found. The Jabiru plunged to the ground, killing Mr Maddern and his wife Jan. The Pawnee remained flyable despite damage to its left wing and was landed safely by the uninjured pilot. The ATSB investigation found the Pawnee pilot had made multiple radio calls about their intention to land and the decision to abort but did not hear any from Mr Maddern. "Based on the Jabiru pilot's apparent unawareness of the Pawnee until just before the collision, and most witnesses not recalling hearing any calls from the Jabiru throughout the event, it is likely that the Jabiru pilot could not transmit or hear radio calls," Mr Mitchell said. "Because of this, and a stand of trees between the intersecting runways that blocked visibility between them, neither pilot was aware of the other aircraft." The ATSB ruled the aerodrome operator did not effectively manage or inform pilots about the risk of the trees or buildings on the runway that could impact visibility. Since the crash, the aerodrome has prohibited simultaneous runway operations and mandated take-off radio calls. The investigation also found that the regulatory guidance that pilots relied on when using non-controlled aerodromes did not clearly define what an "active runway" was. The chief regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, has decided to remove all references to the term "active runway" to prevent confusion. Mr Mitchell said the tragic accident highlights the risk of "see-and-avoid" strategies to prevent crashes. He urged pilots to mitigate the risks of the strategy by using two-way radio calls but also being mindful that communication can be missed or misinterpreted.
ABC News
28-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
ATSB report reveals pilot unwell before fatal plane crash in WA's Midwest
Australia's air safety watchdog says the pilot of a light plane who died in a crash in WA's Midwest was unwell prior to the flight. The man, aged in his 60s, was killed when the Cessna 150M crashed in bushland near Ogilvie, around 500 kilometres north of Perth, on March 21 en route from Geraldton to Shark Bay. A motorist spotted the wreckage of the aircraft about 11:15am that day, just over an hour after the plane took off, and notified authorities. In its preliminary report, released on Wednesday, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) noted the aircraft collided with terrain at high speed, and there was no post-impact fire. The preliminary report noted witnesses at Geraldton Airport said the pilot appeared unwell prior to the flight, and had mentioned having severe gastroenteritis in the days leading up to it. However, it said he had no apparent speech or physical impairment. "The ATSB's ongoing investigation will include the collection and review of all available medical history and post-mortem information for the pilot," Commissioner Angus Mitchell said. "It will also include examination and review of all the other evidence gathered, including CCTV and CTAF recordings, aircraft, pilot and operator documentation, witness reports, the aircraft's maintenance history and the evidence gathered at the accident site." The report found about 18 minutes into the flight, the pilot texted a photo to a staff member at the maintenance organisation at Geraldton, noting a "slightly higher than usual oil temperature". "The temperature shown in the photo was towards the upper end of the normal range, but below the 240 degrees Fahrenheit maximum oil temperature limit." The ATSB noted the maintainer replied to the text, stating they "could look into fitting coolers onto the aircraft to resolve the issue". The bureau said it was still recovering data from a damaged GPS receiver found at the accident site. A final report, including safety analysis and findings, will be released when the investigation concludes. "Should a critical safety issue be identified … the ATSB will notify relevant parties immediately," Mr Mitchell said.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
ATSB release preliminary report into tragic Ogilvie plane crash that killed 67yo pilot Eric Roulston
The pilot killed in a fatal light plane crash earlier this year texted a maintenance worker 18 minutes into the fateful flight that he was worried about the oil temperature, a preliminary report has revealed. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released a preliminary report on Wednesday outlining the findings collected so far in its investigation into a deadly crash involving a Cessna 150 light aircraft near Ogilvie in the Mid West. About 11.15am on March 21, 2025, a motorist reported that a Cessna 150M singe-engine aircraft named VH‑WWU had crashed into terrain in Ogilvie, about 84km north of Geraldton. The pilot, 67-year-old Eric 'Rollo' Roulston — a stalwart of the regional aviation scene who operated a charter business out of Shark Bay — was the sole occupant of the aircraft and did not survive the crash. According to ATSB's preliminary report, the aircraft had departed Geraldton Airport on a planned ferry flight to Shark Bay, taking off roughly 75 minutes before the wreckage was reported. Eighteen minutes into the flight, Mr Roulston texted a staff member at a Geraldton-based maintenance organisation that had released the aircraft from maintenance three days prior. 'In the text, the pilot was positive about the aircraft's performance, but noted a slightly higher than usual oil temperature,' ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said. 'The temperature shown in the photo was towards the upper end of the normal range, but below the 240°F maximum oil temperature limit.' Mr Roulston's text message read: 'WWU flies beautiful, smooth, and tight. Oil temp a little high for a cool day so we might have to look at fitting those coolers back onto WWU. I'd hate to see the rings suffer.' The report stated the maintenance worker acknowledged the message and sent a reply, which was delivered to Mr Roulston's phone at 10.18am, indicating the device was still functioning at that time. Witnesses at Geraldton Airport said Mr Roulston appeared unwell prior to take-off, and he had reportedly mentioned experiencing gastroenteritis in the days leading up to the flight. However, witnesses did not observe any obvious speech or physical impairments at the time. 'The ATSB's ongoing investigation will include the collection and review of all available medical history and post-mortem information for the pilot,' Mr Mitchell said. 'It will also include examination and review of all the other evidence gathered, including CCTV and CTAF recordings, aircraft, pilot and operator documentation, witness reports, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the evidence gathered at the accident site itself.' Initial ATSB findings show the wreckage trail stretched about 23m. Impact marks suggest the aircraft struck the ground at high speed in a nose-down position, with no post-impact fire recorded. 'No pre-impact defects were identified and bending and damage to the propeller was consistent with the engine running at the time of impact,' Mr Mitchell said. Weather conditions on the day of the crash were clear, with light winds of up to 5kt and a temperature of 34C. In a tragic twist, Mr Roulston's 23-year-old son Bradleigh, also a pilot, lost his life in an another aviation tragedy while on a goat-culling operation in the Gascoyne 17 years ago. A final report, including safety analysis and findings, will be released by the ATSB at the conclusion of its investigation.
