View Full Version : Piper Aztec accident near Mareeba 5/3/16
Duck Pilot
16th Mar 2016, 06:17
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2016/aair/ao-2016-019/
Can anyone confirm who the pilot was? WR??? I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. Sad to see the loss of a good aircraft and a fellow pilot injured.
Stanwell
16th Mar 2016, 06:40
Good to hear the pilot's pretty well OK - one can always buy another Aztec.
While don't know the detail of his unscheduled arrival back on terra firma, I tend to cock an eyebrow when I see that lazy, 'one size fits all' expression,
"Collision with Terrain".
When one sees that, it brings to mind an aircraft stuffed into the side of a mountain.
Sounds like he did well to put it down gently enough to walk away.
A terse instructor might well say to a student.. "That wasn't a landing, son - that was a 'collision with terrain'.
It's all a matter of degree.
Why not say 'a rock got in the way during rollout'?
(I am being cheeky.)
.
LeadSled
16th Mar 2016, 07:06
Saratoga ??
Tootle pip!!
Unusual for an old truck with one up not to maintain altitude on one donk. Experienced jockey too.
Stanwell
16th Mar 2016, 07:28
Saratoga ??
Tootle pip!!
Beg pardon, Leady - corrected.
The brain slipped out of gear. :ooh:
Jabawocky
16th Mar 2016, 07:29
PA39
It might depend on what happened with the prop. Or perhaps like happened to the young fella who died in the Whyalla prang, he had an engine let go that clam shelled the cowls and the plane was unflyable with the thrust from the other. Had to close the throttle and glide it in to a sheep paddock.
I hope CASA, Chief pilot or whoever do not repeat the BS on this poor chap if that ws the case here.
Jabawocky
16th Mar 2016, 07:32
Just thinking a bit more about this failure.
Can someone put me in touch with the owner/pilot please. Recent things make me want to enquire. And it is not that I do not trust the ATSB either http://www.beechtalk.com/forums/images/smilies/liar.gif
Duck Pilot
16th Mar 2016, 07:39
Pilot certainly didn't walk away from this one. He will survive I hope, may not fly again though sadly.
Stanwell
16th Mar 2016, 08:04
Oh dear.
The ATSB report did state .. "Highest injury level: Minor".
Duck Pilot
16th Mar 2016, 08:27
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=185156
ATSB are wrong! Check the channel 7 link out at the bottom of the page with video footage.
Mark__
16th Mar 2016, 08:58
It was for sale based at YMBA.
Aviation Advertiser - Aircraft Classifieds - Australia (http://www.aviationadvertiser.com.au/detail.php?id=3728)
Interesting to note that LH engine had almost 1900 hours on it.
BIQ bit the greenery about 2-3 minutes after departure.
It was already low in the 'low country'
Mark thunks wrong..... think hairy goats ! :ouch:
And the reliable source needs to brush up on a/c id-ing...but can be excused if the wx was that bad around the Atherton higher country.
But wait there's more....:{
And we have every confidence the appropriate authorities will sort it all out.
Maybe.
tail wheel
16th Mar 2016, 19:26
Experienced jockey too.
Was the LAME/Pilot owner flying?
I hope his injuries are minor and he recovers quickly.
outlandishoutlanding
16th Mar 2016, 20:59
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=185156
ATSB are wrong! Check the channel 7 link out at the bottom of the page with video footage.
Is that the Yahoo7 link that says 'pilot escapes serious injury'? Although they seem to be wrong; damage to a prosthetic hip can be very serious and life changing.
Duck Pilot
17th Mar 2016, 01:16
It's the Yahoo7 link, I though it could be a pretty serious injury.
Hope he recovers quickly.
Radar Man
18th Mar 2016, 09:54
According to the Yahoo7 report, it was uninsured.
Stanwell
18th Mar 2016, 19:45
And... he'd planned to set off for Darwin the following day. :ooh:
GregP
19th Mar 2016, 02:23
Hmm ... no post-crash fire??
I've got over 1,000hrs on an Aztec; a difficult aircraft to get into trouble with. I wonder whether in a rush to depart he may have mishandled fuel selectors instead of cowl flaps (not impossible to do if you're not paying attention .. I've seen it done on my own aircraft by a guy who steadfastly refused to use a check list).
All the same; rotten luck.
tail wheel
19th Mar 2016, 19:37
Looks like the owner was flying. Hope for a speedy and full recovery.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/watch/31023353/pilot-escapes-serious-injuries-after-plane-crash-in-mareeba/#page1
JABA
Yes mate there are many variables in there.
I am living testimony to the saying The older you get the slower you become.
I misidentified a failed engine in an Aztec a couple of years back......she didn't like it :).....wrong pedal when she yawed. :O:O:O
Duck Pilot
20th Mar 2016, 04:36
PA39, Done the same in the old Apache (ECY) just after takeoff when I was training, certainly got the blood pressure going for a few seconds.
Been a long time since I've flown an Aztec, however I don't recall the fuel system being that complicated to operate. Only real problem I recall was some older PA23s only had one hydraulic pump I think on the left engine, hence if it failed after take off you would have to hand pump the gear and flaps up 😁😁, although I'm pretty sure the F model has pumps on both engines.
Duck Pilot
Yes I remember the single hyd pump!! OMG what a nightmare. Great fun at night in IMC doing an approach!!! Enjoyed the E and F models who had the "optional" 2 pumps. Aztecs looked like a bulbous old bus but by gee great load carrier and good earner.
Agree the fuel management system was simple. They had a nitrogen bottle under the seat to blow the gear down too. Did it once....