Summary
On 7 March 2008, a Zenith Zodiac CH601 XL aircraft, registered VH-ZRS, impacted the sea near Surfers Paradise, Qld. The pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) commenced an investigation into the occurrence.
RA-Aus requested assistance from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in order to examine several pieces of canopy from the aircraft. The examination revealed that the canopy had sustained an in-flight structural failure. The results of the ATSB examination were subsequently provided to RA-Aus investigators.
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Released in accordance with section 25 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | AE-2008-029 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 07/03/2008 |
| Location | 22km NNE Gold Coast Airport |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 24/06/2009 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation level | Systemic |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Collision with terrain |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | Fatal |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Amateur Built Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Model | Zenith Zodiac |
| Registration | VH-ZRS |
| Serial number | 5270 |
| Operation type | Private |
| Departure point | Gold Coast Airport, Qld |
| Destination | Porpoise Point, Qld |
| Damage | Substantial |