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