NT C210
Weather definitely seems to be relevant. LiveATC recording has him requesting initally 5 miles left and right, of which only 5nm right was granted due to restricted airspace. The approach controller later gave him 10nm right, and at some point offered "alternative routing", so the aircraft was definitely trying to avoid something.
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Coffins come in all different sizes.
Once witnessed an operator trying to fit a coffin in his Cherokee, so when it didn't fit,he took out old mate and put him in seperate and unscrewed the coffin to make it fit.
Once witnessed an operator trying to fit a coffin in his Cherokee, so when it didn't fit,he took out old mate and put him in seperate and unscrewed the coffin to make it fit.
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I won't comment on this accident because there is not enough accurate information available to form a valid opinion.
A common thread in any accident (C210 or other type) in similar situations runs something like this. Certain constraints eg terrain, controlled airspace, restricted airspace, getthereitis and nasty weather ahead. There's a bit that doesn't look too bad. We should be OK that way. Opps we've just gone IMC. Never mind I've got an instrument rating and an auto pilot. We'll be through this soon. There were imbedded thunder storms forecast. I hope they're not where we are. Suddenly all hell breaks loose. The autopilot disconnects and the aircraft is tossed around like a leaf in a willy willy. No instrument stays still long enough to work out what is going on.
If lucky in a few minutes the aircraft pops out the other side shaken but not broken with enough altitude to recover from whatever strange attitude the pilot finds his aircraft.
If not lucky and too close to the ground, at or beyond VNE, the heroic efforts to save the day have pulled a wings off.
Read the sickening similar accident reports going back to when man first ventured into clouds.
A common thread in any accident (C210 or other type) in similar situations runs something like this. Certain constraints eg terrain, controlled airspace, restricted airspace, getthereitis and nasty weather ahead. There's a bit that doesn't look too bad. We should be OK that way. Opps we've just gone IMC. Never mind I've got an instrument rating and an auto pilot. We'll be through this soon. There were imbedded thunder storms forecast. I hope they're not where we are. Suddenly all hell breaks loose. The autopilot disconnects and the aircraft is tossed around like a leaf in a willy willy. No instrument stays still long enough to work out what is going on.
If lucky in a few minutes the aircraft pops out the other side shaken but not broken with enough altitude to recover from whatever strange attitude the pilot finds his aircraft.
If not lucky and too close to the ground, at or beyond VNE, the heroic efforts to save the day have pulled a wings off.
Read the sickening similar accident reports going back to when man first ventured into clouds.
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^^ as rutan around said 
Just about every vfr topend Pilot has their own story of venturing into poor weather, seeing that little gap they thought they could get to close up before them and finding themself below LSALT, myself
Included. Even with a good autopilot and instrument rating, it’s a sickening feeling when your eyes are scanning the instrument panel and nothing seems to look familiar.
i can only imagine what was going on in the cockpit on those final moments.
RIP fellas
Just about every vfr topend Pilot has their own story of venturing into poor weather, seeing that little gap they thought they could get to close up before them and finding themself below LSALT, myself
Included. Even with a good autopilot and instrument rating, it’s a sickening feeling when your eyes are scanning the instrument panel and nothing seems to look familiar.
i can only imagine what was going on in the cockpit on those final moments.
RIP fellas
Thanks Cazbah, the 0300 to 0400 loop is telling. Had rain at the airport early morning but clear skies following, in DWN at the time.
The young man, Darcy McCarter, 23, RIP youngster.
The young man, Darcy McCarter, 23, RIP youngster.
Of all the funeral runs I did to arnehm land they were all in coffins as the body's are prepared in Darwin and transported out. They do not have the resources to prepare them remote.
Unless times have changed since my day, it's likely to have been a coffin. Usually inbound to Darwin from the community was in a bag to the mortuary for the autopsy, then back out in a coffin to the community.
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Agreed, every time I've done it, it's always been in a coffin. I've always done it in either a C207 or Airvan though.
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Mention the words "Coffin Charter' to any ex PNG type will most likely elicit a burst of expletives!
Especially if those two words are preceded by two extra words. "A Fane..."
In my case, if Fane was concerned; Definitely!
Especially if those two words are preceded by two extra words. "A Fane..."In my case, if Fane was concerned; Definitely!
I spoke with a mate this afternoon who is a firey who attended the site and was involved in extricating the bodies of the deceased. He said the wings were not that far apart, and unfortunately most telling that the fuselage landed horizontally, level with the terrain. The roof of the cabin was approximately 600ml above the floor. "Pancaked"!
Appears high vertical speed impact with the ground took place in level pitch attitude.
This from a semi laypersons observation.
Condolences go to all concerned.
RIP young aviators!
Appears high vertical speed impact with the ground took place in level pitch attitude.
This from a semi laypersons observation.
Condolences go to all concerned.
RIP young aviators!
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So sad - there but for the grace of God....
For those who haven't had the experience of being wedged under a coffin in the back of a 200 series Cessna: they're tricky to get through the doors but will certainly fit with the front seats in situ (always removed the rear seats in the 206). I never experienced any weight and balance issues on funeral runs in the same region. I'd be very surprised if the cargo had any bearing on the accident.
I hope the ATSB are able to provide some answers for the families, friends and colleagues.
Keep safe, S
For those who haven't had the experience of being wedged under a coffin in the back of a 200 series Cessna: they're tricky to get through the doors but will certainly fit with the front seats in situ (always removed the rear seats in the 206). I never experienced any weight and balance issues on funeral runs in the same region. I'd be very surprised if the cargo had any bearing on the accident.
I hope the ATSB are able to provide some answers for the families, friends and colleagues.
Keep safe, S
Well, someone with the right connections is going to post the Flightradar24 paints synchronised along with the BOM WX radar sweeps, so something might come from that. Otherwise, I'd be interested in how the box was tied down and if ATSB finds the witness marks in the AH matched the nose attitude at impact.
Fathom, as in .. it's freight, and I'm interested in how it (and anything else ) was tied down, ie., I'll be reading the ATSB report and specifically looking at that aspect.
Incidentally, what other bulky stuff do you think might have been in the cabin ?
Incidentally, what other bulky stuff do you think might have been in the cabin ?
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Post 19 suggests the coffin may have moved forward and pushed the control column forward.
Highly unlikely I think.
People have been hauling coffins around the Territory in the back of C210s for 30 years that I know of and probably much longer. I haven't heard of problems.
Coffins empty or full are relatively light ( not like a loose,full 200 litre drum of fuel that once caused a fatal) There were 2 pilots on board so between them the coffin could be quickly pushed back.
The main evidence that the coffin wasn't involved is that the aircraft impacted flat ie parallel with the ground. If the controls were pushed forward as suggested then the impact would be more vertical.
Highly unlikely I think.
People have been hauling coffins around the Territory in the back of C210s for 30 years that I know of and probably much longer. I haven't heard of problems.
Coffins empty or full are relatively light ( not like a loose,full 200 litre drum of fuel that once caused a fatal) There were 2 pilots on board so between them the coffin could be quickly pushed back.
The main evidence that the coffin wasn't involved is that the aircraft impacted flat ie parallel with the ground. If the controls were pushed forward as suggested then the impact would be more vertical.