MERGED: Skydivers Feared Dead In Light Plane Crash Caboolture

[Ixixly]

Whoever wrote that Headline for the ABC should be ashamed of themselves, pure clickbait bullsh*t.

It could have been a shifting seat, it could have been an Engine Malfunction, or a Control Surface Malfunction, for all we know it COULD have been Magic or Aliens that did it, hell maybe an invisible Pegasus flew through and created some wake turbulence?! So sick of seeing this sort of thing from "Journalists", they should be ashamed of themselves, people died.

[Centaurus]

Unlocking seats are not that rare

Re the above highlighted quote, I often wonder if PPRuNe readers have ever noticed that flying schools operating Cessna singles, often fail to mention to students that the Cessna POH manufacturers Before Landing Checklist, includes as the first item "Seats Secure". Yet it is a vital flight safety check. But then, it is not unknown for flying schools to design their own checklists which are often at variance with the manufacturer's published checklist for the type.

[megan]

And get real about risk the aeroplane part of the skydive "experience" is statistically the lowest risk (safest -- if you insist on that word) segment

I try and keep track of skydiving misadventures and would challenge your statement Leadie. The number of skydiving folk dying in aircraft accidents makes me tend to think the jump is the safest part. (ex jumper)

[Connedrod]

Unbelievable. Astb cant say if it had the pin in or out. WTF. Steel pin what did it vaporize in the fire. So what about the phone call made to us im guessing that didnt happen ethier.
Joke !!

[andrewr]

The damage described to the left pin (broken by a left to right bending overload) sounds like it was solidly located in the hole to me - but the ATSB probably can't say that with certainty.

I don't see any real evidence in the report that the seat wasn't secure.

[runway16]

Carrying your pilots log book in a parachuting aircraft. I think not.
No mention that I recall of the pilot wearing a parachute or an oxygen bottle for operations at 14,000.

[Jabawocky]

I note this in relation to the seat-seat belt which was not installed.

The ATSB sought a determination from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on whether the manufacturer’s service bulletin was mandatory in Australia. CASA stated that, even though the manufacturer categorised the service bulletin as mandatory for the pilot’s seat, it was not considered mandatory in Australia. CASA explained that as the regulator from the country of manufacture (US FAA) had not issued an AD to mandate the service bulletin, it had not automatically become mandatory in Australia.

Some of the regulars will know exactly what I am thinking. The rest will just also wonder what is and what is not according to CASA.

[Lead Balloon]

I'm confused, Jaba.

The explanation from CASA seems correct, to me. Thankfully manufacturer's MSBs are not automatically picked up and imposed under Australia's regs.

I check my seat rails and locking mechanisms, voluntarily, as I don't have a death wish...