Investigation number
199302853
Occurrence date
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Forced/precautionary landing
Occurrence category
Accident
Highest injury level
Minor

The pilot decided to divert to Mudgee when deteriorating weather conditions were encountered near Narrabri. Upon arrival in the Mudgee circuit, he positioned the aircraft for a landing on runway 04. On the downwind leg, the before landing checks were completed by reference to a checklist. The aircraft was established on the final approach with all prelanding checks completed. At a height of about 200 feet, both engines lost power simultaneously. The aircraft touched down heavily in a field about 100 metres short of the threshold to runway 04 and was substantially damaged as a result of ground impact forces. The reason for the simultaneous double engine failure was not positively established. However, it is possible that when the pilot carried out the before landing checks, both auxiliary electric fuel pumps were inadvertently selected to the high setting rather than low. Consequently, when the throttles were moved towards the idle position on the final approach, both engines lost power due to an over rich mixture.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
T303
Registration
VH-OBH
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Orange NSW
Destination
Maroochydore QLD
Damage
Substantial