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13 January 2005 - Pilot incapacitation led to fatal aircraft accident at Mareeba
Media Release
Pilot incapacitation led to fatal aircraft accident at Mareeba
13 January 2005
The ATSB's final investigation report into the Piper Aztec
accident which killed a family of five near Mareeba, Queensland on
1 October 2003, has found that the pilot was probably incapacitated
as a result of a cardiac event.
The pilot, his wife and three children were conducting a private
flight from Mareeba, to Roma, Queensland, in the Piper Aztec
aircraft, registered VH-WAC. Witnesses reported that shortly after
the aircraft took off from runway 28, it started to bank to the
left. The left bank gradually steepened, after which the aircraft
rapidly descended to the ground. Witnesses close to the aerodrome
described engine noises consistent with normal operation. The
aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post-impact fire.
At the time of impact, the aircraft was inverted and in a
nose-low, nearly vertical attitude. An intense post-impact fire
resulted in significant melting and destruction of much of the
aircraft structure and components. The examination of the wreckage
by ATSB investigators did not identify any pre-existing defect that
could have contributed to the accident.
Post mortem examination of the pilot identified significant
narrowing of the coronary arteries (coronary atherosclerosis).
Control of the aircraft was lost at a height from which recovery
was not possible. The reason for the loss of control could not be
conclusively established, however the circumstances of the accident
and the available evidence was consistent with pilot incapacitation
associated with coronary artery disease. Other possibilities,
either individually or in conjunction with pilot incapacitation
could not be excluded.
The pilot held a valid medical certificate at the time of the
accident. As a result of the accident, the ATSB has issued a safety
recommendation to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority that medical
certification standards be reviewed.
The full investigation report (200304091) is available from the
Bureau's website, or from the Bureau on
request.
Media Contact: 1800 020 616