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Old 17th Jul 2020, 05:31
  #357 (permalink)  
Wingnuts
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Yorkey's Knob
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Ok.

If pax were experiencing CO symptoms on arrival at Cottage Point, it certainly would have dampened their appetite (Bank card statement might show this) and been a topic of conversation. Symptoms of low/moderate CO are headache, dizziness and nausea.

While pax were having lunch, pilot flew 4 x 20 to 30 minutes flights between Rose Bay and the Point. If pilot was flying under the influence of CO, signs would have obvious and a concern to pax. There is no record of pax on these flights suffering any ill effects.

Pilot considered himself fit for flight.

From the above, I think we can reasonably assume CO was not an issue prior to takeoff of fatal flight.

Given the short duration of flight, CO quantity into cabin would need to be substantial to result in ‘elevated levels’ in blood. Elevated level is such that it ‘affected pilot’s ability to control the aircraft’. To put the amount into perspective, it is the equivalent of a car’s undiluted exhaust into the cabin. All 6 people would have similar CO levels, not just 3 of them. They would have become drowsy and then in quick time, unconscious. The pilot would have been subtly incapacitated and unable to put the aircraft into a sudden, steep dive. Similarly for the pax.

Further, the pax in the right front seat, besides feeling the desire to take pics, was able to orient camera normally. This is inconsistent for someone with elevated levels of CO.

So to back up a little:

- Coroner did not suspect or test for CO

- Initial post crash inspection of exhaust did not note any pre-existing defect

- Exhaust path into cabin has not been established

- CO detector showed nil indication.



Many questions.
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