ATSB investigation reveals plane’s engine not overhauled in 23 years before forced landing in Logan
An investigation into a fiery plane crash in Logan, in which the pilot was lucky to have survived after being found unconscious shortly before it burst into flames, has made shocking discoveries about the condition of the aircraft.
An investigation into a fiery plane crash in Logan in 2020 in which the pilot was lucky to survive revealed a “catastrophic’’ engine failure following two decades without an engine overhaul.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released its finding after an investigation into the crash at Greenbank on November 6, 2020.
The plane crashed in a paddock on private property off Tully Rd in Lyons, Greenbank, shortly before 2.30pm while en route from Moruya in NSW to Archerfield.
It was reported in 2020 that the plane was being ferried to its new owner in Queensland
after being sold just weeks beforehand.
Former owner Robert Payne, who lived in NSW, previously said he sold the two-seat Morane-Saulnier about six weeks before the crash through a broker because he wasn’t using it as much as he would have liked.
Mr Payne had owned the plane for about 20 years.
QAS Senior Operations Supervisor Mark Nugent said, in 2020, that the pilot was a 24-year-old man who had sustained significant injuries.
The investigation found the Lycoming O-360 engine of the four-seat plane failed, resulting in a forced landing.
The ATSB’s report said the plane was about 37 km from the destination at the time.
Forward visibility was cut due to engine oil spraying over the windscreen and smoke created by escaping oil on the exhaust system.
The pilot force landed in a paddock, with the aircraft striking trees.
Witnesses found the unconscious pilot had been thrown from the aircraft and moved them to safety before the aircraft burst into flames.
ATSB director of transport safety, Dr Stuard Godly, said the investigation found “the separation of the number 2 piston connecting rod initiated a catastrophic mechanical failure of the engine.”
The engine had not been overhauled since 1997 and had had limited usage for an extended period, possibly with no specific engine preservation done while in storage, the report found.
“Had the engine been overhauled at the manufacturer’s recommended calendar time, the connecting rod journal bearings would have been replaced with post-modification bearings,” Dr Godley said.
“This accident highlights the need for owners and maintainers to be cognisant of the manufacturer’s service information, to ensure the serviceability of engine and airframe systems are maintained to the highest standards.”
He said the pilot had been ferrying the aircraft on behalf of the owner and had limited aircraft type experience and knowledge of the plane’s performance capabilities.
“The pilot was unaware of the aircraft’s slow speed performance capability, a full understanding of which capability may have been beneficial when responding to the engine failure and forced landing,” Dr Godley said.
The investigation also found the aircraft was not fitted with a fixed or portable emergency locator transmitter. The pilot also did not leave a flight note with a responsible person.
“Fortunately, the forced landing occurred in a populated area and there were witnesses to the accident who were able to render assistance and call emergency services,” Dr Godley said.
More Coverage
Originally published as ATSB investigation reveals plane’s engine not overhauled in 23 years before forced landing in Logan
