Collision with terrain involving a Morgan Cougar Mk1 aircraft, VH-LDV, 19 km north-north-west of West Sale Airport, Victoria on 16 November 2024

Preliminary report released 18 December 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

At 1730 local time on 16 November 2024, an amateur-built Morgan Cougar Mk 1 aircraft, registered VH-LDV (LDV), with a pilot and 2 passengers onboard, departed from West Sale Airport, Victoria for a flight over the local area. Flightradar24 data indicated the aircraft conducted a left turn on departure and tracked 8 NM (15 km) north of West Sale Airport to the town of Maffra. The aircraft arrived overhead Maffra shortly after 1736 where LDV made a series of turns overhead the town for about 4 minutes. At 1740, the aircraft departed from overhead Maffra and tracked about 6 NM (11 km) west-north-west towards Tinamba West (Figure 1).

The aircraft conducted a right-hand turn overhead a property at Tinamba West, which belonged to relatives of the aircraft occupants, before commencing a series of left-hand turns (orbits) around a point about 1 km to the south-east of the property over open paddocks. The last data point was at 1747, after LDV had commenced a third left-hand orbit, which recorded the aircraft at an altitude of 450 ft at a groundspeed of 60 kt on a track of 073° True (T). 

A closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, located about 700 m north-north-east of the accident site, captured LDV in a left turn towards the camera. Subsequently, the nose of the aircraft pitched down and the aircraft descended in the left turn behind trees (Figure 2). About 14 seconds later a plume of dark smoke rose up above the trees. The 3 occupants were fatally injured in the accident and the aircraft was destroyed.

Context

Local weather data

A local weather station, about 4 km north of the accident site, recorded the following temperature and wind velocity information at 1745 and 1750 on the day of the accident:

Table 1: Local weather data

Accident site

The aircraft impacted flat and open terrain at an elevation of about 130 ft and produced a ground scar on a track of 315° T (Figure 3). The length of the wreckage trail was about 30 m from the first ground scar to the propeller spinner, with the fuselage resting on a heading of 303° T. There was a diamond-shaped fuel spray and debris pattern along the wreckage trail.

Fuel was ignited after the ground impact, however, most of the fire damage to the aircraft was confined to the fuselage within the area bounded by the firewall, aft bulkhead (behind rear seats) and the inboard sections of the wings. The wings and tailplane (except the rudder) remained attached to the fuselage. The engine was attached to the firewall and the 3-bladed propeller was attached to the engine. One propeller blade was attached to the hub and the other 2 propeller blades had separated at their roots but were found within the debris field.

Figure 1: Accident flightpath with key timings and locations

Source: Flightradar24 and Google Earth, annotated by the ATSB

Figure 2: CCTV footage of final turn

Images subject to visual distortion (fisheye lens effect).

Source: Victoria Police, annotated by the ATSB

Figure 3: Accident site

Source: ATSB

Further investigation

To date, the ATSB has:

• examined the accident site
• retrieved hardware and avionics from the wreckage
• collected witness statements, CCTV and drone footage, local weather data, pilot licencing and medical information and aircraft records.

The investigation is continuing and will include:

• examination and analysis of the avionics unit and aircraft hardware
• a review of aircraft records, including design and certification standards
• a review of witness reports
• interviews with key personnel.

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. 

Acknowledgements

The ATSB acknowledges the support provided by Victoria Police during the onsite investigation phase.