The ATSB is investigating a forced landing involving a Cessna Aircraft Company 310, registered VH-DAW, near Derby Airport, Western Australia on 20 June 2023.
During approach, both engines stopped, and the pilot conducted a forced landing on a road. During landing, the aircraft collided with terrain and was substantially damaged.
To date, the ATSB investigation has included:
- interviewing the pilot and senior management at the operator
- video of the occurrence
- examination of maintenance and pilot records
- air traffic surveillance data and recordings
- inspection of the fuel lines and other components
- examination of the fuel system
In the course of the investigation, the ATSB has identified risk controls, organisational factors and regulatory oversite that potentially contributed to the occurrence. Examination of these factors represent a significant increase in the scope of this investigation, and it has been upgraded from Defined to Systemic as a result. (the ATSB's different levels of investigation are detailed here).
The draft report internal review process has been completed. The draft report has been distributed to directly involved parties (DIPs) to check factual accuracy and ensure natural justice. Any submissions from those parties will be reviewed and, where considered appropriate, the draft report will be amended accordingly.
Following the external review process, any submissions and amendments to the draft report are internally reviewed. Once approved, the final report is prepared for publication and dissemination and released to DIPs prior to its public release.
The final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.