Australian Transport Safety Bureau releases report over Barwon Heads skydiving plane crash
Details of how a skydiving plane crash landed near Geelong, leaving seven in hospital can be revealed, with claims parachuters were not briefed about key safety advice before takeoff.
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Details of how a skydiving plane crash landed near Geelong leaving seven in hospital can be revealed, with claims parachuters were not briefed about key safety advice before leaving Barwon Heads.
The Skydive Australia Cessna, carrying a pilot and 16 parachutists, crashed on the northern side of the Lake Connewarre in October 2023, leaving 15 people injured.
The plane had planned to climb to 15,000ft only for the pilot to detect partial power loss at 500ft, according to an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation.
The forced landing came less than a minute after taking off from Barwon Heads Airport.
“As a result, airspeed continued to reduce until the stall warning horn sounded,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell explained.
“Due to the low height, low power and low airspeed, the pilot searched for a suitable location for a forced landing, selecting a clearing beyond the Barwon River.”
The aircraft impacted the water short of the clearing, resulting in water entering the cabin.
It continued onto the riverbank before its main landing gear detached, according to the report, travelling along the ground “for about 50m” before stopping.
Seven patients, including Labor MP Paul Edbrooke, were taken to hospital.
Mr Mitchell said the partial loss of engine power was likely due to an abnormal activation of the TTL, as identified by the pilot.
The probe also identified “a number of issues associated with the loading of the aircraft and its conversion and use for parachuting operations”, although these were not found to have contributed to the accident.
Experience Co, the owner of Skydive Australia, also failed to ensure parachutists received “essential safety information” about emergency exits, restraints and brace position prior to takeoff.
“While parachutists accept some risk associated with their sport, this does not mean they should be exposed to additional risk in the operation of parachute drop flights,” Mr Mitchell said.
“To maximise survivability in the event of an emergency, pilots are required to ensure aircraft occupants receive a safety briefing and instructions, including in the correct use of restraints, emergency exits, and adopting the brace position.”
The ASX-Listed company has since addressed weight and balance issues, and has made an annual requirement for skydivers to take part in briefings covering essential safety information.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Parachuting Federation have also committed to a range of safety actions in the wake of an accident.
Originally published as Australian Transport Safety Bureau releases report over Barwon Heads skydiving plane crash
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