- ATSB investigation into a Cessna 172 accident encourages pilots, unsure of their position or requiring navigational assistance, to seek Flight Following services from ATC.
- Pilots are also encouraged to regularly practise the skills required to make a safe precautionary landing.
On 27 October 2014, at about 1030 EDT, the pilot of a Cessna 172 aircraft, departed Ballarat, Victoria, for Luskintyre, NSW, on a private flight under the visual flight rules. The pilot had planned the flight carefully, and although he had adequate fuel to reach Luskintyre without refuelling, he planned to reconsider his progress at Temora, NSW, and land for additional fuel if required.
The pilot encountered some poor weather during the early stages of the flight and, although it was unplanned, he elected to land at Wangaratta, Victoria, to take a break and have some refreshments. While at Wangaratta, he also took the opportunity to add some fuel. After a short break and refuel, the pilot continued to Temora, where he elected to land for another break. The pilot re-assessed his fuel requirements at Temora, and determined that he had sufficient fuel to continue to Luskintyre with ample reserve without refuelling.
After departing Temora, the pilot planned to overfly Rylestone, Denman and Jerrys Plains, en route to Luskintyre. The flight proceeded as planned to about Kandos (just south of Rylestone), where the pilot visually fixed his position. At that point, rather than continuing as planned overhead Rylestone then on to Denman, the pilot elected to track directly to Luskintyre.
The direct track between Kandos and Luskintyre was over heavily treed and undulating terrain, leaving the pilot unable to positively visually fix his position. As he continued in an easterly direction, the pilot grew increasingly concerned about the possibility of infringing controlled airspace further to the east. Conditions at the time were windy and although the pilot recalled that the visibility was good, there may have been some bushfire smoke in the area.
Rather than risk infringing controlled airspace, the pilot decided to make a precautionary landing to ascertain his position. He located a valley that appeared to have some cleared areas, then circled for several minutes assessing precautionary landing options. The pilot commented that precautionary landing options were very limited, but he ultimately selected a paddock that was clear of obstacles, and while relatively short, it offered an uphill landing run to assist in stopping the aircraft.
During his approach to land on the selected paddock, with full flap selected, the pilot found himself overshooting the selected aim point. He endeavoured to recover the profile, but had increasing difficulty maintaining the preferred aim point. Concerned that he would not be able to land safely, the pilot elected to discontinue the approach and commenced a go-around. As the go-around proceeded however, the pilot found that he was unable to climb over tress ahead of the aircraft on rising terrain beyond the far end of the selected paddock. He was able to manoeuvre around a small number of individual trees, but collided with a line of trees, slightly further on. The aircraft was substantially damaged in the collision and the pilot received serious injuries.
The aircraft was fitted with an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) which was activated by the impact. An overflying aircraft detected the ELT signal at about 1715 EDT, and search and rescue authorities were alerted. Sometime after the accident, the pilot was also able to activate a portable locator beacon. In addition, the pilot had left a Flight Note at the point of departure. When the pilot had not made contact by the nominated time, the holder of the Flight Note commenced enquiries and notified authorities.
The aircraft wreckage was ultimately discovered by a local resident, around 2 hours after the accident, independent of other search and rescue activities. The local resident alerted authorities, who attended the scene and were able to secure the wreckage and provide medical assistance to the injured pilot.
Safety message
In many cases, deviation from a flight plan is necessary to ensure continued safe flight. Where deviation from a flight plan is not essential, pilots are encouraged to consider the risk of operational complications such as potential difficulties with navigation or fuel management. Deviation from a flight plan or Flight Note may also affect search and rescue activities in the event of an accident, to the extent that a search is conducted in the wrong place.
Where available, pilots unsure of their position or requiring navigational assistance, are encouraged to seek Flight Following services from ATC. In this case, contact with ATC may have allayed the pilot’s concerns about the prospect of infringing controlled airspace, and negated the need to consider a precautionary landing. A fact sheet regarding Flight Following services is available on the Airservices Australia website via the following link, under the group heading working with air traffic control.
With respect to precautionary landings, pilots are encouraged to initiate an early go-around as soon as there is any doubt regarding the prospects of a safe landing. The potential for a safe go-around may diminish as an aircraft continues an approach, particularly where there is rising terrain or obstacles beyond the selected precautionary landing area.
...pilot's, unsure of their position or requiring navigational assistance encouraged, to seek Flight Following services from ATC.
While in this case the aircraft was found by a local resident independent of search and rescue activities, the accident nonetheless provides a reminder of the potential value of a Flight Note. Pilots are encouraged to prepare a Flight Note where relevant, and to ensure that the information provided on the Flight Note is as accurate as possible. Pilots are also encouraged to advise ATC of any deviation from the planned route, to ensure that search and rescue authorities have access to updated information where relevant.
Read the report: Collision with terrain involving a Cessna 172, VH-ZZD, near Putty, New South Wales, on 27 October 2014
Additional reading:
- Airservices Australia fact sheet Flight Following services
- More information about Flight Notes available from CASA Visual Flight Rules Guide