Plane crash near Baw Baw
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: victoria
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plane crash near Baw Baw
Today on the news I heard that a cessna going from YMER to YMEN crashed near Mt Baw Baw ( due to technical difficulties, that difficulty I believe would be an engine failure. Its good everyone is still alive but it made me ask a few questions to myself.....
YMER-YMEN direct goes over a lot of mountains, why would anyone do that leg at night in a single? The wiser choice I believe would have been maybe via East Sale, West Sale, Latrobe Valley and Moorabbin, a bit longer yes but a lot safer due to
-lower terrain (3000ft lower)
-more navaids
-more suitable aerodromes
-more time in the glide to rectify problem
I think the fact that last night was very light could have saved them.
Has anyone got any facts on the incident or comments?????????
YMER-YMEN direct goes over a lot of mountains, why would anyone do that leg at night in a single? The wiser choice I believe would have been maybe via East Sale, West Sale, Latrobe Valley and Moorabbin, a bit longer yes but a lot safer due to
-lower terrain (3000ft lower)
-more navaids
-more suitable aerodromes
-more time in the glide to rectify problem
I think the fact that last night was very light could have saved them.
Has anyone got any facts on the incident or comments?????????
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: OZ
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gday
Just sat through Channel Nine’s report, they indicated that poor weather and ice contributed to the forced landing, but you can’t take to much notice because those fwit journo’s used a cardinal for a reconstruction of the landing, I suppose that’s better than a spitfire or simular.
By the look of the damage and it was a 172 I think they were very lucky to escape without more injuries.
Good news story but how many who were thinking of learning decide it may be just too dangerous, who knows?
Cheers Q
Just sat through Channel Nine’s report, they indicated that poor weather and ice contributed to the forced landing, but you can’t take to much notice because those fwit journo’s used a cardinal for a reconstruction of the landing, I suppose that’s better than a spitfire or simular.
By the look of the damage and it was a 172 I think they were very lucky to escape without more injuries.
Good news story but how many who were thinking of learning decide it may be just too dangerous, who knows?
Cheers Q
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mel-burn
Posts: 4,875
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder how much experience the "instructor" had. You'd think in that situation you'd risk it and punch through, go over the top and if required call for assistance and let down somewhere safe. Makes you realise why you can't fly NVFR in a single for charter. Personally I'd go for the over the top scenario or not been there in the first place!!!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CASA investigator to pilot: "Was your Cessna 172N suitably equipped for flight into known icing conditions?"
Yessir - it had a heated pitot-static head"...
CASA: "Oh that's alright then....
Yessir - it had a heated pitot-static head"...
CASA: "Oh that's alright then....
Technical problems. Is that another name for airframe icing?
On another subject I have found a letter in my in-tray from a bloke named Byron in a letter of 16 June talking about 'no excuse for deviation from 'published instrument .... procedures' and then 'CASA will take strong action against pilots who deliberately deviate from those procedures'.
I wonder how that applies to some situations we hear about?
On another subject I have found a letter in my in-tray from a bloke named Byron in a letter of 16 June talking about 'no excuse for deviation from 'published instrument .... procedures' and then 'CASA will take strong action against pilots who deliberately deviate from those procedures'.
I wonder how that applies to some situations we hear about?
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Australia
Posts: 743
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having just watched Nine news, I am totally dumb founded to think that any one would operate a low performance single engine over a route sector with an average Lsalt of 6900 at night. In the past operating turbine aircraft over that route I have seen some of the heaviest icing ever experienced. It was not unusual to divert to the south for weather advoidance. I wouldn't operate a C172 over that route in Cavok daylight conditions, let alone at night. The PIC and his passengers were lucky this time, and lets not hear how the pilot is a ace and his skills saved his passengers lives.
Last night was a full moon so NVFR would be almost as good as day VFR. Looking at the footage, that plane has been PRECISELY put down in that clearing. Irrespective of what transpired up to the point of getting caught in icing conditions. Superior flying skills have been brought to the fore to save the day.Methinks we should wait for the report. It will be a good read because everyone is alive!
FOOTNOTE- It is only 20nm longer to track YMER YORB YMES YLTV YMEN with a LSALT of 4300 verses LSALT of 6300 on a direct track. Haven't got a record of the MET report but the METAR for BAW BAW showed sub zero temps and 98% humidity right through the night so not really a good night for traversing tiger country. As I said it will be a good read because everyone is alive to give their version of what actualy happened rather than speculation.
FOOTNOTE- It is only 20nm longer to track YMER YORB YMES YLTV YMEN with a LSALT of 4300 verses LSALT of 6300 on a direct track. Haven't got a record of the MET report but the METAR for BAW BAW showed sub zero temps and 98% humidity right through the night so not really a good night for traversing tiger country. As I said it will be a good read because everyone is alive to give their version of what actualy happened rather than speculation.
Last edited by OZBUSDRIVER; 10th Aug 2006 at 13:33.
Full moon so NVFR OK!!!
I was at YHOT and it started snowing about 0900. By 1200 it was a full blizzard with about 30m viz and that continued until about 1930. Certainly no full moon where I was and expect the weather would have been similar only 50nm away. "Ditching," as channel 9 referred to it, occurred around 1845. Ah old pilots and bold pilots- looks like this old pilot may have gotten away with it one more time and, if he's learnt anything, may even live to be substantially older.
Originally Posted by yarrayarra
I was at YHOT and it started snowing about 0900. By 1200 it was a full blizzard with about 30m viz and that continued until about 1930. Certainly no full moon where I was and expect the weather would have been similar only 50nm away. "Ditching," as channel 9 referred to it, occurred around 1845. Ah old pilots and bold pilots- looks like this old pilot may have gotten away with it one more time and, if he's learnt anything, may even live to be substantially older.
Odd snow showers, OK, but let's not get carried away
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Here today, gone tommorrow
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Conditions during the afternoon and evening in question,
Several Sigmets:
one relating to Severe Turb in the lee of ranges A040-FL120
another ocnl sev turb within 150nm of front
ocnl sev icing in cloud A040-FL120
Not a good time to be low level over the Great Divide, day or night
Several Sigmets:
one relating to Severe Turb in the lee of ranges A040-FL120
another ocnl sev turb within 150nm of front
ocnl sev icing in cloud A040-FL120
Not a good time to be low level over the Great Divide, day or night
The name of the pilot was stated in today's Australian. Their used to be a Senior Ops Controller in Brisbane by the same name. He was command instrument rated - used to fly B200's when required for the RFDS. He had a huge amount of knowledge on Search and Rescue which I know resulted in the rescue of quite a few pilots and pax - Great to see he was able to be rescued in return 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Lara, VIC.
Age: 67
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why not climb?
Why didn't he climb above the cloud. I was flying with two CIR CPL's in a C172, back seat in this area a couple of years ago (July). We were A045 in cloud. I could see ice forming on the struts. Said CPL's after much agitation from self requested a clearance to be clear of cloud. Cleared to A085 above the cloud. No further icing at this altitude.
Last edited by pall; 12th Aug 2006 at 01:02. Reason: Spelling errors
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Down a dark hole
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by pall
Why didn't he climb above the cloud
My understanding has always been that the only way to handle ice in a lighty is 180 degree turn and descend to warmer air if possible.
