A crash landing following engine power loss shows why it’s important for pilots to maintain critical skills through regular flight reviews.
On the morning of 23 November 2012, the pilot of a Piper Cherokee Six, with two other owner-pilots on board, took off from Jandakot Airport, Western Australia.
About 700 ft above the ground, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot immediately turned the aircraft towards one of the runways and focussed on flying the aircraft while the owner-pilot in the copilot seat conducted some of the troubleshooting checks. Unfortunately, the engine did not regain power.
The pilot had not completed a flight review in the 2 years before the accident, increasing the operational risks including responding to emergency situations.
Without enough height and speed to reach the runway, the pilot force landed the aircraft into wooded bushland about 150m short of the runway. The aircraft’s occupants escaped the accident with only one minor injury, but the aircraft was substantially damaged after hitting trees.
While the ATSB found no mechanical defects or fuel issues that would have affected the engine’s performance, investigators could not rule out carburettor icing as a contributing factor. No other likely contributing factors were identified.
It was also found that the pilot did not ensure all of the available procedures for an engine power loss and power-off landing were followed. This resulted in reduced gliding performance and a higher-than-necessary landing speed.
The pilot had not completed a flight review in the 2 years before the accident, increasing the operational risks including responding to emergency situations.
To effectively handle emergency situations, it is vital for pilots to use their established knowledge and skills, and ensure they always do a pre-take-off emergency briefing. As well, pilots should undertake regular flight reviews. By not complying with the periodic flight review requirements, the pilot missed an opportunity to maintain those critical skills.
Read the report: Engine power loss involving Piper Cherokee Six, VH-TSZ, Jandakot Airport, Western Australia, on 23 November 2012