External Assistance to Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) - Fatal Accident - Zenith Zodiac CH601XL 19-50-46, 12 km north-east of New Moon ALA, Queensland, 13 July 2008

AE-2008-051

Summary

On 13 July 2008, a Zenith Zodiac CH601XL recreational/ light sport aircraft, registration 19-5046, was involved in a fatal accident 12 km NE of New Moon Authorised Landing Area, Qld. Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) staff commenced an investigation into the occurrence. Two Global Positioning System (GPS) units were recovered from the accident site.

On 17 July 2008, RA-Aus requested technical assistance from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to recover the data from the GPS units. No analysis of the data by the ATSB was sought by RA-Aus. To protect the information supplied by RA-Aus and the investigative work undertaken to assist RA-Aus, the ATSB initiated an investigation under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

Data was successfully recovered from one GPS unit in February 2009 by ATSB Technical Analysis staff with assistance from the French Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA) and was subsequently provided to RA-Aus investigators.

 

______________

Released in accordance with section 25 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number AE-2008-051
Occurrence date 13/07/2008
Location 12km NE New Moon ALA
State Queensland
Report release date 26/03/2009
Report status Final
Investigation level Systemic
Investigation type External Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Collision with terrain
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Zenith Aircraft Company
Model CH-601
Registration 19-5046
Operation type Sports Aviation
Departure point Mt Garnett, QLD
Destination Charters Towers, QLD
Damage Destroyed