At about 1215 Eastern Standard Time on 5 October 2006, the pilot of a British Aircraft Corporation 167 Strikemaster aircraft, registered VH-AKY, took off from Bathurst, NSW, for a 25-minute adventure flight with one passenger. The flight was intended to include high-level aerobatics followed by a low-level simulated strike mission. When the aircraft failed to return, a search was initiated and the aircraft wreckage was located in the Turon State Forest about 20 km to the north-east of Bathurst. The ground impact started a fuel-fed fire that resulted in a large bushfire, which took several days to contain. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
The engine was producing significant power at the time of impact and the wing flaps and landing gear were retracted. The right wing and tail had separated from the aircraft. Separation of the right wing was precipitated by pre-existing fatigue cracking in the right wing upper main spar attachment lug.
During the low-level simulated strike mission, the aircraft broke up in flight. The majority of the available evidence was consistent with a break-up initiated by separation of the tail surfaces leading to the separation of the weakened right wing.
As a result of this occurrence, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) briefed the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority on findings relating to the separation of the wing and tail. CASA has released a number of Airworthiness Bulletins to alert Australian operators of issues relating to Strikemaster and Jet Provost aircraft. CASA has also approved the Australian Warbirds Association Limited to administer aircraft operating under the Limited Category.
Download complete report [4.9 MB PDF]
Aviation Safety Investigation Report: Interim Factual
Release date: 7 November 2007
Factual Information
At about 1215 Eastern Standard Time on 5 October 2006, the pilot of a British
Aircraft Corporation 167 Strikemaster aircraft took off from Bathurst, NSW,
for a 25-minute joy flight with one passenger. The flight was intended to include
high-level aerobatics followed by a low-level simulated strike mission. When
the aircraft failed to return, a search was initiated and the aircraft wreckage
was located in the Turon State Forest about 20 km to the NE of Bathurst. The
ground impact started a fuel-fed fire that resulted in a large bushfire, which
took several days to contain. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
On-site
and laboratory examination of the wreckage revealed that:
- the engine was producing significant power at the time of impact
- the wing flaps and landing gear were retracted
- the right wing had separated from the aircraft in flight
- the tail components had separated from the aircraft in flight.
As a result of this occurrence, the ATSB briefed the Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA) on preliminary findings relating to the wing failure. Subsequent
briefings were provided to CASA and the UK Civil Aviation Authority on the
failure of the aircraft tail components. CASA has released a number of Airworthiness
Bulletins to alert Australian operators of issues relating to Strikemaster
and Jet Provost aircraft.
Download complete Interim Factual Report [PDF
1.16Mb]
Aviation Safety Investigation Report: Preliminary
Release date: 20 November 2006
Factual Information
The aircraft wreckage was located in a forest destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured.
Download
complete preliminary report [271kb PDF]
