Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172N, VH-SQO, near Mulgathing, South Australia, on 27 June 2024

Preliminary report released 18 September 2024

This preliminary report details factual information established in the investigation’s early evidence collection phase, and has been prepared to provide timely information to the industry and public. Preliminary reports contain no analysis or findings, which will be detailed in the investigation’s final report. The information contained in this preliminary report is released in accordance with section 25 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003. 

The occurrence

On the morning of 27 June 2024, the pilot of a Cessna Aircraft Company 172N, registered VH‑SQO, commenced sheep spotting operations at Mulgathing Station, South Australia (Figure 1). At about 0810 local time, a witness on a motorbike about 500 m away observed the aircraft dive down on what they presumed was a mob of sheep to an altitude of about 50 ft above the ground before climbing rapidly, turning to the left and then nosediving towards the ground. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot who was the sole occupant was fatally injured.

Figure 1: Accident location with reference to Coober Pedy and the Stuart Highway

Source: Google Earth, annotated by the ATSB

Context

Pilot information

The pilot, a New Zealand citizen, held a Civil Aviation Safety Authority Part 61 Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) with a single and multi-engine class rating with endorsements for retractable undercarriage, manual propeller pitch control, and low-level and instrument ratings. The pilot’s commercial licence was issued on 17 August 2023 in accordance with the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997. The pilot held a Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate with no restrictions, valid to 29 November 2024. 

At the pilot’s last medical examination on 6 November 2023, the pilot reported having 251 hours of total aeronautical experience.

Aircraft information

VH-SQO was a Cessna Aircraft Company 172N 4-seat, single-engine, high (strut-braced) wing, all metal, unpressurised, fixed (tricycle) undercarriage aircraft. The aircraft was manufactured in the United States in 1978 and first registered in Australia on 29 August 1978. The operator had been the registered owner of the aircraft since the date of registry. 

The current maintenance release was issued on 8 March 2024 and was valid until 8 March 2025 or 14,620.8 hours total time-in-service, whichever came first. At the time of take-off for the accident flight, the aircraft had accumulated 14,602.7 hours.

Meteorological information

Witnesses reported that on the morning of the accident, the weather was fine, clear and the temperature was cool, not cold. No wind or cloud cover was observed, and the conditions were described by a witness as being ‘almost perfect for paddock work’. 

Wreckage examination

The ATSB’s onsite examination found that the aircraft impacted with terrain at about a 70° pitch down attitude, with ground impact marks directly under the nose showing no forward momentum (Figure 2). The aircraft’s flight controls and structure did not identify any pre‑existing faults or pre‑impact defects or failures. Additionally, one of the propeller blades showed significant rotational abrasion damage and chord-wise twisting indicating that the engine was driving the propeller under significant power at the time of impact. 

Figure 2: VH-SQO accident site

Source: ATSB

Further investigation

To date, the ATSB has examined the aircraft wreckage, interviewed witnesses, and gathered electronic devices from the accident site. The investigation is continuing and will include consideration of the following:

• evaluation of witness information
• examination of the:
  • GPS device recovered from site
  • aircraft maintenance history
  • aircraft weight and balance, and performance
• meteorological conditions
• impact sequence and survivability
• the conduct of similar flight operations
• pilot qualifications, experience and medical information
• regulatory requirements for fixed-wing aerial mustering.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.