Australian Accidents/Incidents 02 July-30 September 2020

3865
Wreckage of the fatal R44 crash in Broome. Image:ATSB

Date 02 July
Aircraft  Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
Location
Over Redcliffe, Qld
Fatalities 0
Description  Aircraft overflew its planned destination. Controller suspected pilot was incapacitated and another aircraft followed the Cessna and tried to contact its pilot. After communication was re-established, the Cessna diverted to Gold Coast Airport, where it landed without incident. ATSB investigating.

 

Date  04 July
Aircraft  Robinson R44 Raven I
Location Broome, WA
Fatalities 2
Description  Security camera nearby showed that the aft tail cone bulkhead, empennage, tail rotor gearbox and tail rotor assembly separated soon after take-off. Helicopter spun several times before hitting ground on its right side, killing pilot and right-side passenger. Two other passengers were seriously injured.

 

Date  09 July
Aircraft  Beechcraft B200 King Air
Location
 Cairns, Qld
Fatalities 0
Description  Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft landed short at airport, while displaced threshold was in operation, damaging temporary lights.

 

Date  18 July
Aircraft  Sling 2
Location
Sunshine Coast Airport, Qld
Fatalities 0
Description  Aircraft ran off left side of runway after aborted touch and go landing in which it began drifting on take-off phase. Wingtip struck runway signs.

 

Date  23 July
Aircraft  Flight Design CTLS
Location
 Westbrook, Qld
Fatalities 0
Description  During landing aircraft bounced and went onto pilot-induced oscillation before overturning. Aircraft written off, pilot unharmed.

 

Date  27 July
Aircraft  Tardis
Location
Maryborough, Qld
Fatalities 0
Description Homebuilt RA-Aus aircraft reported as Tardis had propeller strike at low speed with grass runway during landing roll. Pilot presumably wished he could time travel.

 

Date 31July
Aircraft  Robinson R44
Location  Near Conargo, NSW
Fatalities 1
Description  Aerial application helicopter struck power lines and crashed. Pilot died in hospital on 3 August

 

Date  16 August
Aircraft  Robinson R22 Beta
Location
 Near Rocky Point Yards, NT
Fatalities 0
Description  Mustering helicopter made hard forced landing, seriously injuring pilot, who was flown to medical treatment by another mustering helicopter. It was reported that engine to main rotor gearbox drive belts failed. ATSB investigating

 

Date  20 August
Aircraft  Swearingen SA226-T Merlin IIIB
Location
Gunnedah, NSW
Fatalities 0
Description  Aircraft veered off runway and landing gear collapsed.

 

Date  23 August
Aircraft  Jabiru J160
Location
Near Theodore, Qld
Fatalities 0
Description  Aircraft made forced landing in rough terrain after loss of engine power. Passenger seriously injured in head and legs and transported to Toowoomba hospital by rescue helicopter.

 

Date  31 August
Aircraft  Saab 340B/Piper PA31 Navajo
Location
 Carnarvon Airport, WA
Fatalities 0
Description  Rex Saab airliner entered runway after PA-31 on charter flight had begun take-off, which was rejected. ATSB investigating

 

Date 18 September
Aircraft  Guimbal Cabri G2 / Extra EA 300
Location
Caloundra Airport, Qld
Fatalities 0
Description  Aerobatic aircraft on touch-and-go landing and helicopter preparing to take off collided. Both aircraft were on training flights.

 

Date 28 September
Aircraft  Cessna T188C/A2 AGhusky
Location
 Near Cootamundra, NSW
Fatalities 0
Description Right wing clipped powerlines during an aerial application flight. Pilot received minor injuries.

 

Sources: ASN, ATSB, RA-Aus