On 1 November 2006 at 1201 Eastern Standard Time, the pilot of a Cessna Aircraft Company 207, registered VH-UBX, was on final approach to runway 07 at Townsville Airport, when the engine stopped. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. To avoid the airport perimeter fence, the pilot elected to conduct a forced landing into an adjacent tidal swamp. The pilot landed the aircraft in the swamp and the aircraft sustained major damage. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured.
An inspection of the aircraft revealed that there was adequate fuel on board to complete the flight. Further investigation found several mechanical problems with the engine-driven fuel pump that were associated with foreign object debris and errors in maintenance.
The investigation identified safety issues with a third party maintenance provider's procedures and the operator's in-flight engine restart procedures.
As a result of this accident, the third party maintenance provider has made changes to its operation and recalled a number of pumps that were subject to unauthorised maintenance.
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