ATSB El Questro Crash report [Archive]

Diatryma

28th Aug 2006, 01:13

Runway 'factor' in crash deaths

By Adam Gartrell
August 24, 2006

RUNWAY faults at one of Australia's most exclusive outback resorts may have contributed to a plane crash which killed a wealthy British couple, a coroner has found.

The twin-engine Cessna Golden Eagle plane had just taken off from an airstrip at the El Questro Homestead, in Western Australia's remote Kimberley region, on August 30, 2004, when witnesses noticed it bank to the left before striking trees and crashing.
The plane burst into flames, killing pilot Peter Quilliam, 60, and his wife, 63-year-old Norma.
Australian Travel Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigators did not find any mechanical faults with the plane and a post-mortem examination of Mr Quilliam's body cleared him of any illness that might have affected his flying ability.
In handing down his findings following an inquest into the deaths, WA Coroner Alastair Hope today said it appeared Mr Quilliam, an experienced pilot, had made an "unusually early lift-off" before the crash.
Mr Hope said it might have been that the pilot wanted to avoid damage to his plane from pebbles and other potentially damaging debris scattered on the dirt runway.
It was a concern of the couple's daughter, Nikki Varone, that the condition of the runway at the time was "relatively poor", Mr Hope said.
He said it could not be conclusively determined whether the quality of the aerodrome played some part in the crash.
But the coroner expressed concern that trees near the runway exceeded the maximum height allowed under safety guidelines.
Mr Hope said it was also of concern that an airstrip that was part of a highly publicised destination such as El Questro was not subject to any external scrutiny or supervision.
He recommended the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) consider altering regulatory provisions so that such airstrips were subject to CASA approval and inspections, to make sure they comply with safety guidelines.
Mr Hope said the ultimate reason for the crash could not be determined and he declared it an accident.
Comment was being sought from El Questro.
The Quilliams, from Staffordshire in England, had stayed at the luxurious El Questro Homestead for two days after spending several months flying to Australia from Switzerland, where they had purchased the plane.
The couple, who earlier settled in Australia on a retirement visa from the UK, were on their way to Perth at the time of the crash.

Can anyone comment from their experience on this strip?

Di

Dave Incognito

28th Aug 2006, 02:44

The trees certainly are close to the edge of the strip. So much so that you can’t use the full width of the graded surface when turning around at the NW end otherwise you’ll put the wingtip into some of the smaller ones. It is a bit rough with some sandy patches although not as bad as Emma Gorge, which is also on the property.

The strip is at the bottom of a fairly narrow valley that tended to funnel any wind. Mix that with tall trees at either end and it was pretty easy to gain or lose 10-15 knots very quickly while low to the ground.

It was a very sad and sobering feeling flying over El Questro a few hours after and seeing the smoke from the scrub fire that eventuated. :(