As it came into land, a Cessna 172N struck a powerline, leaving two people injured and one person dead.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released important advice to pilots and the owners of aeroplane landing areas (ALA) after a fatal accident in Victoria.
On 29 October 2012, a Cessna 172N was flying from Coldstream to a private ALA at Bagshot, Victoria, with a pilot and two passengers on board. As the aircraft approached short final on the approach, its nose landing gear contacted a powerline located at the southern end of the airfield.
The powerline significantly reduced the aircraft’s forward speed, sending the Cessna rotating about its nose and impacting the airstrip in an almost inverted attitude. Almost immediately, a fuel-fed fire began at the wing roots. Witnesses assisted the aircraft occupants from the aircraft, however the pilot was seriously injured and the rear seat passenger sustained minor injuries, while the front-seat passenger had died.
The ATSB found that the pilot had been aware of the powerlines, but that his recollection was that they were closer to the tree line in the area leading up to the landing strip. In addition, a lack of adequate warning markings and the fact that the area leading up to the landing strip was mown led him to believe that the entire strip was useable for landing. This perception, combined with the inherent difficulty of visually detecting wires and the distraction of another recently-landed aircraft on the airstrip, reduced the likelihood of his detecting the wire.
There were no high visibility devices attached to the powerlines, nor were any required under the current Australian Standards.
In response to this accident, the owner of the ALA has made significant changes to the runway markings, landing permission procedures affecting operations at the ALA and the available safety and firefighting equipment. In addition, markers have been erected near the powerline.
The ATSB’s investigation report points ALA-owners to resources that can help them manage the risk of collision with obstacles. It also advises pilots to allow themselves sufficient time to make appropriate decision, and urges them to ensure that everyone in their aircraft is wearing seatbelts correctly, affording the best chance of survival in case of an accident.
Read the report: Wirestrike involving Cessna 172, VH-TKI, 13 km north-east of Bendigo, Victoria, on 29 October 2012