ATSB releases report into aircraft crashing at Cape York river
The pilot of a short takeoff and landing aircraft has been lucky to escape serious injury after ditching a homemade plane into a Cape York river known to be inhabited by crocodiles.
The pilot of a short takeoff and landing aircraft has been lucky to escape serious injury after ditching a homemade plane into a Cape York river known to be inhabited by crocodiles.
On August 14, a Just Aircraft SuperSTOL XL amateur-built aircraft departed from Weipa bound for Cooktown.
With extra fuel on-board the plane the pilot planned to refuel on the way.
He landed the plane in Coen and the plane was refuelled but en route to Cooktown the pilot needed to add more fuel and decided to stop a second time to top up and eat lunch.
He rerouted and landed successfully on a beach at Bathurst Bay after an aerial inspection of the selected area.
The tank was topped up and the plane got airborne for a moment before the aircraft encountered a strong crosswind gust and the plane yawed forcefully into the wind, according to the ATSB report.
“Directional control and climb performance of the aircraft was rapidly lost and the pilot ditched the aircraft in the shallow river to the left of the strip end,” the report stated,
The pilot was uninjured and managed to get out the sinking aircraft and swim to the river bank.
However the aircraft became partially submerged and was damaged by salt water.
The SuperSTOL XL is known for its exceptional short takeoff and landing capabilities, allowing it to operate from virtually any small clearing or rough terrain.
Despite this, the safety messaging of the ATSB focused on challenges and increased risks when taking off and landing away from established aerodromes.
“Pilots should also consider the shielding effects of any elevated terrain surrounding planned takeoff areas and consider the potential effects of abrupt wind changes and windshear once the aircraft outclimbs the terrain,” the report said.
No investigation into the incident was undertaken by the ATSB and the regulator did not verify the accuracy of the information provided by the pilot.
Originally published as ATSB releases report into aircraft crashing at Cape York river
