The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into the collision with terrain of a Cessna A150 Aerobat two-seat light aircraft at Cedarton, approximately 38 km south-west of Sunshine Coast Airport, Queensland, on Wednesday.
The aircraft was hired for a private flight with two pilots on board, and was reported missing after failing to return to Sunshine Coast Airport on Wednesday afternoon. A subsequent search confirmed the aircraft had collided with terrain in bushland at Cedarton. The two pilots on board were fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
A team of four transport safety investigators from the ATSB’s Brisbane office with expertise in aircraft operations, engineering and maintenance is deploying to the accident site on Thursday.
On site, investigators will examine the aircraft wreckage and site surrounds, and seek to recover any relevant components for detailed examination. The ATSB will also analyse available recorded data, review pilot and maintenance records, and interview witnesses and involved parties.
The ATSB asks anyone who may have seen the aircraft in any phase of its flight, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, to make contact via our witness form.
A report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation. However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.
No further information is available at this time.
Background: The ATSB is Australia’s national transport safety investigator. The ATSB conducts 'no blame' aviation, rail and marine transport safety investigations to help prevent the occurrence of similar future accidents, and does not investigate for the purpose of taking administrative, regulatory or criminal action. Details on the ATSB’s investigation process can be found here.