Cause of Willowbank C206 crash
 

There was a skydiving c206 that went down a couple of years ago at Willowbank. I was wondering if anyone knew the cause of it. I heard a rumour somewhere that it had something to do with an icing problem. Haven't had much experience with turbo charged engines and was wondering if there were additional dangers with regard to icing when operating these.

Cheers for the replies

All the facts here:
 

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/...200600001.aspx

But,

And

Definitely NOT icing.

Very hot day.
35deg C
Very heavy load (7pob).
Almost 3550lb vs 3300lb certified max
Low time pilot.
5 kt tailwind on T/O
Possible fuel problem...
Notice the pic on page 28 of the PDF report.
See anything missing?

Besides Filters, earth straps and not in good repair, no, nothing.

A must read for anyone considering a tandem jump and the 'standards' of the APF and 'some' parachute operators.

Sadly if half the stories i've heard from pilots about that operation are true, the whole incident was an accident waiting to happen from a LONG time ago.

A sad needless loss of life, as are most aviation accidents.

You know the old story......

"Why would you want to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane?":uhoh:

"Have a closer look at the plane, and why the pilot is wearing a chute too!:eek:

Not necessarily the opinion of the publisher:E

J

Jabawocky
 

"why would you want to jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane?"
You will probably never, ever know.

Jump pilots wearing rigs has nothing to do with perceived condition of the aircraft. It is because of the inherent risk of a premature opening parachute wrapping itself around the tailplane and bringing everything down in an untidy mess.

silly me...
 

...and here was me thinking it was because it is a legal requirement!!!

Its not a legal requirement

From memory the APF op regs state something along the lines of an emergency parachute and training must be provided to pilots of jump aircraft. I don't recall any mention anywhere of pilots being required to wear said parachute whilst jump flying. So whilst not a legal requirement, a study of some cases overseas and in Australia point to the fact that it could very well save your life.

hmmm.... ok, may be I weighed in a bit quick. I haven't flown jump myself, but was based at a very active jump-zone airfield in years past -in NZ. I'm pretty sure the jump pilots there told me they were required under regs/CAR's to wear a chute on jump ops. Maybe someone operational can clarify?

Islander Jock

I did know that....was being a cheeky smart ar$e and its true to say that is probably a bigger risk than the aircraft falling apart.

Mind you, around this part of Oz, apart from a C208 at YCDR, the rest all look very tired and in need of TLC.

J:ok:

Jaba
Over the years I've seen some wrecks on the line for GA hire. Some I wouldn't have minded a Pilot's rig to do a 30" trip:)

Frothy

Maybe it's time the industry made everything compliant with commercial ops instead of hiding behind the APF agreement by saying "it's private ops".
By every other definition it is a commercial op and its bulls:mad:it how pilots will promote this practise by flying for nothing after having paid over $30K to get their qualifications.
Not entirely free of guilt. Originally thought, "Well I'd have to pay to get these hours at a flying school", but having seen the pilot at Willowbank die at a very young age with no insurance, super or pay for the privelege I'm sure many will agree.
All being said many operators are now paying their pilots and yes, the operator of the C208 out of YCDR does run a very professional operation.
(He is the APF Flying Ops delegate.)

To wear, or not to wear...

Years ago at Kambalda, doing the local Para club a 'favour'...I didn't need the money anyway...they gave me a 'Slimline' chute which I wore religiously...just in case.

And, as the Chief Parachutist Instructor found out one day, I would have used it too...

I wasn't concerned about the state of the aircraft - I have chosen not to fly some aeroplanes before, and this one was OK - but just 'if' someone wrapped around the tailplane or whatever.

If you've got the urge to do para drops, protect yourself just as you would doing any other 'risky' op. is reasonable advice.:D

Yes in NZ jump pilots are legally required to parachutes.

Knox.

I flew Jumpers for a period of over twenty years, Yes, I wore a Slimline and would have used it if the situation warranted. The Chief Pilot flew for the one Para Club for over 35 years also wore one, in fact he went and did a couple of jumps so he was competent to use it. I was instructor for a number of years before I did the flying for them so I had a fair idea on the use. This was before it was recommended. Not much use in the Dragon. to hard to get out of, but I have been a jumper on the Dragon when it pranged(VH AGC) but we didn't get high enough to get out of it. The dust still going up when I left it.
I remember years ago a good Pilot we knew had a problem dropping Jumpers onto a beach in the Sydney area in a Noresman had a problem and got out, he said he had watched the jumpers go out in a stable spread, he did that but when he came in to pull he went head down so he went back to the spread to get stable, this happened a couple of time until it was,"got to do something" time. He pulled head down on the unsleeved canopy. very solid opening:)
I had an eng. failure in a 185 once at 8500', by the time I turned round to tell the Jumpers we had a problem, I was talking to an empty aeroplane,plenty of height, landed no power, no big deal thanks fellas:p
So my advice to anyone flying Jumpers, wear the rig supplied and get a thorough briefing on its use, even going for a Tandem would be an idea. If your flying for a Mob I can't see why they should not GIVE you a Tandem jump
We never had a maint. problem with the A/c we flew, as only the 2 of us flew it and HS (CP) handled the maint. and we didn't have the need or urge to beat the Jumpers down to the detriment of the Powerplant or Airframe
So if you've got a rig, wear it, I hope you don't have to use it, but you might be very thankful one day

Frothy

Had I known then what I know now, I would also have worn a parachute while aerotowing gliders!

Dr :8

Thanks Knox, that's what I thought. Begs the question then why things are different in Oz, given that we both operate under an (increasingly) similar regulatory structure.