[Peetwo]

Sad day for RMIT Point Cook flight training school:

Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172, VH-ZEW, near Millbrook, Victoria on 8 September 2015

 
Investigation number: AO-2015-105
Investigation status: Active
 

• Summary
  

Summary

The ATSB is investigating a fatal aircraft accident involving a Cessna 172, near Millbrook, Victoria on 8 September 2015. The aircraft collided with the ground and the pilot died in the accident.

The ATSB has deployed two investigators, with specialisations in aircraft operations and engineering, to the accident site. They are expected to be on site for two to three days.

As part of the investigation, the team will:

• assess the accident site
  
• examine the aircraft wreckage
  
• interview any witnesses
  
• review aircraft documentation and maintenance records.
  
  

Witnesses are asked to call the ATSB on 1800 020 616.
More information will be made available as it comes to hand.

A recently updated media report:

Plane crash at Millbrook: Woman dead after light aircraft crashes near Ballarat  
by: Paddy Naughtin, Andrea Hamblin

From: Herald Sun
September 09, 2015 2:00PM

UPDATE: THE father of an RMIT student pilot who died when she crashed near Ballarat on a solo flight has met with university chiefs as investigations continue.  


Investigators were on Wednesday scouring the site of a plane crash for clues on what caused the plane to drop from the sky, killing the student..

The female RMIT student was flying solo near Millbrook when her Cessna plunged into the side of a hill on a rural property about 3.20pm, and died at the scene.

Two Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators specialising in aircraft operations and engineering were at the scene on Wednesday morning.

They will examine the plane wreckage and are expected to remain at the site for up to three days, ATSB pokesman Marc Kelaart said.
[img=0x0]http://pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/component/article/news/victoria/plane-crash-at-millbrook-woman-dead-after-light-aircraft-crashes-near-ballarat/story-fni0fit3-1227518159496?t_product=HeraldSun&t_template=s3/chronicle-component/relatedstories/templates/index[/img]
He said the investigation would also review the aircraft documentation and maintenance records, as well as interview any witnesses.

The bureau will refer any information relating to immediate safety concerns to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The university said it had halted all flight operations at Point Cook “until further notice”
RMIT University vice-chancellor Martin Bean said in a statement that the death had “devastated” the university community.

He confirmed the aviation student was on a solo training flight from RMIT’s Point Cook aviation training site when the crash occurred.

“This morning, I met the student’s father at RMIT’s Point Cook flight training centre.

“On behalf of the University, I extended my heartfelt condolences to him.

“As a father, I can only begin to imagine the pain he is feeling at this time.”

Mr Bean said he had gathered at Point Cook with aviation staff and students “to share their grief and their memories”.

He said RMIT’s trained counsellors had offered support to students and staff.
He said the university continues to assist the Air Transport Safety Bureau, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and emergency services.

Paramedics and firefighters rushed to the crash site, off Old Melbourne Rd in an area known as Black Hill, but the pilot could not be saved.
andrea.hamblin@news.com.au

Prelim report release:

Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172, VH-ZEW, near Millbrook, Victoria on 8 September 2015

 
Investigation number: AO-2015-105
Investigation status: Active
 

• Summary
  
• Photo
  

Summary

Updated: 13 October 2015

At about 1410 Eastern Standard Time[1] on 8 September 2015, the pilot of a Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, registered VH-ZEW, departed Point Cook Airport on a return solo navigational training flight via Ballarat, Victoria.

Witnesses stated that at about 1542 they observed the aircraft approaching Black Hill, near Millbrook, about 14 NM (26 km) east-south-east of Ballarat Airport. A number of witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying ‘very low’ and hearing an increase in power prior to the aircraft cresting the hill. Engine power was reported by witnesses to have changed a few times before the aircraft disappeared from sight. No witnesses reported seeing the aircraft collide with terrain (Figure 1). The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed.

Figure 1: Accident site and wreckage of Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, VH-ZEW


Source: ATSB

Wreckage examination

Site and wreckage examination indicated that the aircraft impacted terrain on a 20° upslope. The aircraft came to rest about 60 m from the initial impact point (Figure 2). There was no fire.

Figure 2: Accident site, showing the initial point of impact and wreckage trail


Source: ATSB

The aircraft’s structure was significantly disrupted during the impact sequence. The propeller separated from the engine and showed signs of rotational damage.
The aircraft was fitted with an integrated flight control system that was capable of recording data such as flight and engine parameters. The integrated flight data log memory card from this system was located in the wreckage trail.

Aircraft components examination
A number of aircraft items and components, including the integrated flight data log memory card, were recovered for examination at the ATSB’s technical facility in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

The integrated flight data log memory card was successfully downloaded, showing flight and engine parameters at 1-second intervals up to about 10 seconds before the impact with terrain. The premature termination of the recording was attributed to power supply disconnection due to impact forces, rather than normal system shut down.

The investigation is continuing and will include examination of:

• data from the aircraft’s global positioning system equipment
  
• the aircraft’s maintenance documents
  
• the pilot’s flying and training records
  
• the meteorological information affecting the flight
  
• relevant organisational information.
  

___________________________

The information contained in this web update is released in accordance with section 25 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and is derived from the initial investigation of the occurrence. Readers are cautioned that new evidence will become available as the investigation progresses that will enhance the ATSB's understanding of the accident as outlined in this web update. As such, no analysis or findings are included in this update.
 

__________

1. Eastern Standard Time (EST) was Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) +10 hours.
   

 

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General details

Date: 08 Sep 2015
 
Investigation status: Active
 
Time: 15:42 EST
 
Investigation type: Occurrence Investigation
 
Location   (show map): near Millbrook
 
Occurrence type: Collision with terrain
 
State: VIC 

Release date:13 Oct 2015
 
Occurrence category: Accident
 
Report status: Pending
 
Highest injury level: Fatal
 
Expected completion: Sep 2016 
 
Aircraft details

Aircraft manufacturer: Cessna Aircraft Company
 
Aircraft model: 172S
 
Aircraft registration: VH-ZEW
 
Serial number: 172S11079
 
Type of operation: Flying Training
 
Sector: Piston
 
Damage to aircraft: Destroyed
 
Departure point: Point Cook, Vic
Departure time: 1410 EST
Destination: Point Cook, Vic
 

 




Last update 13 October 2015

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