THE preliminary report into the doomed Angel Flight plane crash north of Mount Gambier reveals the SOCATA TB-10 Tobago aircraft was in the air for just 65 seconds before it nose-dived into a paddock.
Closed circuit television footage also confirms there was fog and “reduced visibility” at the airport at the time of landing and take-off on June 28.
New information has also emerged the pilot made a “possible” attempted landing that morning and made a series of low level turns before touching down.
Mount Barker Angel Flight volunteer pilot Grant Gilbert, 78, and Mount Gambier mother and daughter Tracy, 43, and Emily Redding, 16, died on impact when the plane hit terrain just 2km from the Mount Gambier Airport’s departure runway at 10.30am.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released the preliminary report into the crash, which included no analysis or findings into the horrific accident.
According to the five-page report, just after take-off the private charity aircraft veered to the left of the runway at an altitude of about 300 feet above sea level and reached a maximum altitude of about 500 feet.
The last recorded information – about 65 seconds after take-off – showed the aircraft en route to Adelaide at an altitude of 400 feet.
No emergency calls were recorded during the flight and the aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, which was not required.
Transmissions from the pilot on approach and take-off were recorded on the common traffic advisory frequency for Mount Gambier Airport.
“Minutes after impact the aircraft was found by witnesses passing the accident site and emergency services responded to the scene shortly thereafter,” the report stated.
On-site examination of the wreckage and surrounding ground markings indicated the aircraft impacted terrain at about “30° from vertical, in an inverted attitude”.
According to the investigators, the engine and propeller were located at the initial impact point.
“The fuselage and remainder of the aircraft had detached from the engine at the firewall and came to rest in an upright position about 10m beyond the engine, with the tail and wings attached,” the document said.
The wings had sustained significant impact damage to the leading edge.
“A strong smell and presence of fuel was evident at the accident site, however there was no evidence of fire.”
The aircraft also did not have an emergency locator transmitter fitted, which was not required.
A portable locator beacon was found in the cockpit, but had not been activated.
The report also detailed the arrival of the Tobago at Mount Gambier Airport, after leaving the Mount Bridge Airport at 8am (central standard time).
Information obtained from Oz2Runways showed the pilot performed a “significant deviation” from the direct route to Mount Gambier Airport.
The pilot made several manoeuvres at low altitude in the vicinity of the airport, including a possible attempted landing on runway 36.
“After a series of low level turns, the aircraft landed on runway 29,” the report stated.
The pilot then refuelled the aircraft and boarded two passengers to conduct a flight – under visual flight rules – to Adelaide arranged by the charity Angel Flight Australia.
The Redding family – who held a private funeral for Tracy and Emily last week – declined to comment on the report.
According to the ATSB, the full report will be handed down in December 2017.
