Investigation number
199501985
Occurrence date
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Loss of separation
Occurrence category
Incident

The pilot of VH-LDK was conducting a private business flight under instrument flight rules. Enroute he encountered more cloud than forecast. The forecast freezing level was 6,000 ft. The aircraft was not equipped for flight in icing conditions. According to the pilot, the forecast cloud tops were 7000 ft. He initially climbed to 8,000 ft but, to remain clear of cloud before reaching Wee Jasper, he climbed firstly to 10,000 ft and then to 11,500 ft. Rather than continue climbing to 12,000 ft(without oxygen) to avoid cloud, he elected to divert from Popla to Wagga and descend to the lowest safe altitude of 4,500 ft. During the descent, the airframe and the propeller accumulated a lot of ice. Widespread icing conditions were also reported in the Wagga area above 5,000 ft. When the pilot of VH-LDK requested a clearance to Wagga from flight service, he was advised twice to remain outside controlled airspace (OCTA) and he acknowledged those instructions. When VH-LDK was transferred to Wagga tower frequency, 37 nm east of Wagga, the tower controller also instructed the pilot to remain OCTA. However, the aircraft proceeded towards Wagga entering controlled airspace (CTA)and the Wagga control zone (CTR) until Wagga tower became aware of its position when it was 13 miles from the aerodrome. There is no radar at Wagga. According to the pilot, he had advised Melbourne Flight Service of the icing problems but he did not advise Wagga Tower. After the incident, he remembered that he had been instructed to remain OCTA. During the descent, the diversion and the penetration of CTA/ CTR, the aircraft was in cloud. The pilot advised that he became so preoccuppied with the severe inflight icing problems that he thought that Wagga Tower had issued an onwards clearance. The problems included engine vibrations, never before experienced by the pilot, as the propeller shed ice. At the time of the penetration VH-WGV, a regular public transport aircraft was conducting an instrument approach at Wagga. On recognition of the potential conflict, the controller instructed VH-WGV to climb to 5,500 and enter the holding pattern. It was estimated that the separation reduced to 500 ft vertical and 5 to 8 miles head on. Significant Factors The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the incident: 1. The pilot encountered more cloud than forecast. 2. The aircraft was not de-icing equipped. 3. The pilot elected to continue rather than turn back. 4. The aircraft accumulated ice on the airframe and the propeller. 5. The pilot became preoccupied with the icing problem which included vibration as the propeller shed ice. 6. While preoccuppied with the icing problem the pilot erroneously thought that a clearance had been issued to proceed to Wagga. 7. Without radar coverage at Wagga, the tower controller was unaware of the penetration until the pilot made a radio transmission 13 miles from Wagga.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
172RG
Registration
VH-LDK
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Canberra ACT
Destination
Albury NSW
Damage
Nil
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Fairchild Industries Inc
Model
SA226-TC
Registration
VH-WGV
Sector
Turboprop
Departure point
Albury NSW
Destination
Wagga NSW
Damage
Nil