The accident involving a De Havilland Tiger Moth at Maryborough Airport on 27 January 2012 illustrates several of the points made in the ATSB’s Avoidable Accidents report Managing partial power loss after takeoff in single engine aircraft (AR-2010-055).
In this instance, immediately after lift-off, the aircraft was observed to have a partial, intermittent power loss. The pilot continued the flight with the aircraft maintaining altitude or climbing slightly. At the upwind end of the runway, the aircraft made a climbing left turn before stalling and descending. The aircraft impacted the ground and the occupants died. The ATSB investigation found that the power loss was probably caused by a partial blockage of the aircraft’s fuel cock.
Pilots are reminded that continued power in such circumstances is unpredictable and the risk can be reduced by conducting a controlled landing at the earliest opportunity.
Read the report: Collision with terrain - De Havilland DH-82A, VH-GVA, Maryborough Airport, Victoria, on 27 January 2012