Safety bureau releases final report on Fraser Island plane crash involving Air Fraser pilot and trainee

The final report into a Fraser Island plane crash reveals an experienced pilot went back into the wreckage as it was taking on water to find a trainee.

Air Fraser owner and pilot Gerry Gletch went back into an aircraft that was taking on water to look for a trainee.

Findings from an investigation into a Fraser Island plane crash detail the desperate measures the pilot and his trainee took to escape from the wreckage after it was ditched in the ocean.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its final report into the January 30, 2020, plane crash that involved Air Fraser pilot Gerry Gletch and a trainee. 

The report also uncovered safety issues that could have fatal consequences when an aircraft was ditched in the water.

Mr Gletch and the trainee, a man in his 20s, were lucky to escape without serious injuries after their Cessna 206 plunged into the ocean about 150m off the coast of Fraser Island.

It said there were multiple factors that led to the crash which started when the nose landing gear failed during a simulated brake failure exercise.

They tried a go-around but had significantly less control.

The report said fuel starvation led to the engine losing power at a height too low for recovery when the aircraft collided with water.

It said that Mr Gletch went back into the wreckage after it began to take on water because he could not find the trainee.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its findings from an investigation into a plane crash at Fraser Island on January 30, 2020.

“Both pilots undid their seatbelts and the trainee tried unsuccessfully to open the single front pilot door,” it said.

“When the door could not be opened the training pilot climbed over the seats into the rear cabin, kicked the cargo door to force it open and then tried unsuccessfully to locate the trainee pilot.”

Mr Gletch re-entered the aircraft when it was three-quarters submerged but still could not find the young man.

“ (Mr Gletch) exited a second time taking hold of a life jacket as it floated past,” it said.

“During this time the trainee had opened and climbed out the pilot door window.”

It said Mr Gletch put the life jacket on the young man and then put his arm through it before they both swam back to shore.

Happy Valley ambulance station paramedics also swam to their aid and assisted them to shore.

The report’s recommendations mainly focused on safety issues with the rear cargo door which becomes blocked when the flaps are extended.

It said in emergencies pilots are recommended to extend the flaps by 40 degrees, but that also means the door is blocked and can only open about eight centimetres.

The bureau said difficulties opening the cargo door resulted in fatal consequences.

It found nine plane crashes between 1985 and 2018 that resulted in 23 fatalities where there were difficulties opening the cargo door, or it had not been opened.

It said while approved modifications were available they were not mandatory.

The bureau recommended Textron Aviation – the certificate holder of Cessna 206 – take safety action to ensure pilots are aware that extending the flaps beyond 10 degrees will significantly restrict the cargo door.