Australian Transport Safety Bureau release preliminary report into fatal plane crash that killed young pilot Adam Snell

The moments leading up to a light plane crash that killed a young pilot while he was mustering at Mulgathing Station in June, have been revealed.

The moments leading up to a light plane crash that killed a young pilot while he was mustering at Mulgathing Station in the state’s Far North, has been revealed by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

A preliminary report into the crash revealed the single-engine Cessna 172 was being used for sheep spotting operations, flown by young pilot Adam Snell on June 24, at Mulgathing, around 500km north of Ceduna.

Mulgathing is the site of a 530,700ha sheep station which has an airstrip aircraft use for mustering.

Around 8.10am, a witness – who was about 500m away on a motorbike – saw the plane dive down from about 50 feet above the ground, on what they believed was a mob of sheep.

The plane was then seen rapidly climbing, before it turned to the left and then nosedived towards the ground, at about a 70-degree angle.

Young pilot Adam Snell died in a crash in outback SA. Picture: Massey Aviation

Snell has been remembered as “a kind, caring young man” by his close relative. Picture: Supplied.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators later observed the ground impact marks found under the nose of the plane, and concluded there was no further forward momentum.

The impact of the crash claimed the life of the 22-year-old and destroyed the aircraft.

Emergency service crews – including a Royal Flying Doctor Service aircraft, Major Crash Investigators and Forensic Crime Scene officers – had attended the scene after reports of the crash, about 9.30am.

Director Transport Safety Kerri Hughes said investigators did not “identify any pre-existing faults or pre-impact defects” with the Cessna’s flight controls and structure.

“Additionally, one of the propeller blades showed significant rotational abrasion damage and chord-wise twisting indicating that the engine was driving the propeller under significant power at the time of impact,” Ms Hughes said.

ATSB investigators also interviewed witnesses and collected electronic devices from the accident site, along with an on-site examination of the wreckage.

The ongoing investigation will continue to examine witness information, the GPS device recovered from the site, the plane’s maintenance history, weight and balance.

As well as, its performance considerations, meteorological conditions, the impact sequence and survivability.

“Investigators will also consider the conduct of similar flight operations, pilot qualifications and the regulatory requirements for fixed-wing aerial mustering,” Ms Hughes said.

“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.”

Adam Snell was mustering at Mulgathing Station in the state’s Far North. Picture: Supplied.

According to LinkedIn Snell started working as a pilot for Jumbuck Pastoral in Mulgathing in December last year. Picture: Supplied.

The preliminary report reveals factual information found in the investigation’s early evidence collection phase – however it does not detail any findings or analysis, which will later be revealed in the final report once the investigation has finished.

According to LinkedIn, Mr Snell started working as a pilot for Jumbuck Pastoral in Mulgathing in December last year

In June last year, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aviation/Airway Management and Operations from Massey University School of Aviation based in New Zealand.

Mr Snell obtained a Commercial Pilot License and a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.