Stealth PA28
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: FNQ ... It's Permanent!
Stealth PA28
If it wasn't so serious it would be funny!
A Stealthy PA28 goes unnoticed by two F35's!
The ATSB is investigating a near collision involving a Piper Aircraft PA-28, registered VH-TKX, and 2 military aircraft, near RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, on 28 August 2025.
During flight, the crew of the PA-28 experienced a total electrical failure in the aircraft and diverted to RAAF Base Tindal.
On final approach to land, the PA-28 came into close proximity with 2 military aircraft on approach to the same runway.
A Stealthy PA28 goes unnoticed by two F35's!
The ATSB is investigating a near collision involving a Piper Aircraft PA-28, registered VH-TKX, and 2 military aircraft, near RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, on 28 August 2025.
During flight, the crew of the PA-28 experienced a total electrical failure in the aircraft and diverted to RAAF Base Tindal.
On final approach to land, the PA-28 came into close proximity with 2 military aircraft on approach to the same runway.
Joined: Sep 2002
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
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From: Great South East, tired and retired
Probably thought that his spark plugs would run out of electricity.
The knucks returning to Tindal would likely not have the radar running while they join initial and pitch, so a no-transponder lighty would be hard to see from 400 kt. No warning from ATC either.
The knucks returning to Tindal would likely not have the radar running while they join initial and pitch, so a no-transponder lighty would be hard to see from 400 kt. No warning from ATC either.
Joined: Aug 2022
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From: Melbourne, Victoria
Maybe they thought the landing fees would be cheaper than Darwin??
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,576
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From: FNQ ... It's Permanent!
I did once have the alternator fail on a NVMC flight down the coast in good weather (in a C172). Advised ATC we would have to turn our battery off to save it for the arrival, got an airways clearance to enter our destinations airspace and went silent to top of descent. It was quite peaceful cruising along under the stars not having to talk or listen to anyone!
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Australia
Jetstar had a diversion into Tindal from Darwin in the middle of the night. Despite the internal documentation clearly stating there were stairs, the PIC had to lower himself off the door ledge onto the short stairs the refueler used to access the panel. I doubt the pilot of the PA-28 got a guided tour of the base and a sit in the F-35 cockpit after diverting into military CTA with no radios and an airprox.
Joined: Mar 2025
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From: Qld
Looks like they sortedout their troubles, the subject aircraft is now in Exmouth WA.
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: nosar
I got a clearance through Tindal in a no transponder Tiger Moth right back in the nineties. After a couple of requested turns 50 odd NM south I was told I was radar identified. One can only speculate how much better their radar would be today. Perhaps it will be the boys inn the tower that have red faces! Where were they looking? Obviously not at their radar :-)
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From: Australia
Final report:
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/news-i...35-fighter-jet
https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/news-i...35-fighter-jet
The pilot of a Piper PA-28 that flew into the path of two F-35 fighter jets while approaching to land at RAAF Base Tindal, in the Northern Territory, was unable to communicate with air traffic control due to a loss of electrical power, and entered controlled airspace without a clearance.
An ATSB final report into the 28 August 2025 occurrence details that the single-engined Piper, with a pilot and passenger on board, was participating in the Outback Air Race.
Earlier on the day of the incident, when preparing the aircraft for the Daly Waters to Tindal race leg, the pilot detected a tripped circuit breaker.
The pilot requested assistance from a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) who found the alternator was unserviceable – meaning the battery could not be charged by the engine. The LAME advised they could not fix it at Daly Waters, but further maintenance could be provided at Tindal.
“The LAME subsequently charged the aircraft’s battery and encouraged the pilot to conduct the flight, without assessing the time the battery could supply the aircraft with electrical power,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“Further, despite the heightened potential for a loss of electrical power, the pilot did not conduct contingency planning prior to taking off for Tindal,” Mr Mitchell added.
En route to Tindal, the aircraft lost electrical power and the pilot was unable to communicate using the aircraft’s radio. In addition, the aircraft’s transponder ceased transmitting, and could no longer be detected by air traffic control.
The pilot and passenger also reported being unable to call air traffic control on a mobile phone, due to noise levels in the cockpit, however they were in communication with members of an air race group chat using a mobile device.
The report details communications on the group chat, and how other members made contact with Tindal air traffic control, which advised it was unsafe for the PA-28 to land at Tindal due to the level of traffic, and that the PA-28 should hold outside controlled airspace or land at the nearby Homebush Park airfield.
However, the PA-28 occupants responded in the group chat that they were not landing at Homebush Park and instead were tracking direct to Tindal.
In a subsequent exchange on the group chat, a different member of the chat asked if the PA-28 occupants wanted them to declare a PAN, to which the PA-28 responded that they did. The PA‑28 pilot later advised that as they considered that a PAN had been declared on their behalf, they thought that other traffic would be cleared from their planned flight path.
However, none of the Tindal air traffic controllers recalled a PAN being declared on behalf of the PA-28.
... (and more)
An ATSB final report into the 28 August 2025 occurrence details that the single-engined Piper, with a pilot and passenger on board, was participating in the Outback Air Race.
Earlier on the day of the incident, when preparing the aircraft for the Daly Waters to Tindal race leg, the pilot detected a tripped circuit breaker.
The pilot requested assistance from a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) who found the alternator was unserviceable – meaning the battery could not be charged by the engine. The LAME advised they could not fix it at Daly Waters, but further maintenance could be provided at Tindal.
“The LAME subsequently charged the aircraft’s battery and encouraged the pilot to conduct the flight, without assessing the time the battery could supply the aircraft with electrical power,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“Further, despite the heightened potential for a loss of electrical power, the pilot did not conduct contingency planning prior to taking off for Tindal,” Mr Mitchell added.
En route to Tindal, the aircraft lost electrical power and the pilot was unable to communicate using the aircraft’s radio. In addition, the aircraft’s transponder ceased transmitting, and could no longer be detected by air traffic control.
The pilot and passenger also reported being unable to call air traffic control on a mobile phone, due to noise levels in the cockpit, however they were in communication with members of an air race group chat using a mobile device.
The report details communications on the group chat, and how other members made contact with Tindal air traffic control, which advised it was unsafe for the PA-28 to land at Tindal due to the level of traffic, and that the PA-28 should hold outside controlled airspace or land at the nearby Homebush Park airfield.
However, the PA-28 occupants responded in the group chat that they were not landing at Homebush Park and instead were tracking direct to Tindal.
In a subsequent exchange on the group chat, a different member of the chat asked if the PA-28 occupants wanted them to declare a PAN, to which the PA-28 responded that they did. The PA‑28 pilot later advised that as they considered that a PAN had been declared on their behalf, they thought that other traffic would be cleared from their planned flight path.
However, none of the Tindal air traffic controllers recalled a PAN being declared on behalf of the PA-28.
... (and more)
