Technical assistance to the New South Wales Police – Collision with water involving TL-Ultralight Sting S4, 23-1677, 5 km north-west of Scotts Head, New South Wales, on 4 January 2025

The ATSB assisted the New South Wales Police Force with an investigation into a collision with water involving a TL Ultralight Sting S4, registered 23-1677, 5 km north-west of Scotts Head, New South Wales, on 4 January 2025. This assistance was initiated at the request of Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus).

While reportedly conducting flying training, the aircraft collided with water resulting in fatal injuries to the 2 occupants. The aircraft was destroyed.

As part of an investigation by the Coroner’s Court of New South Wales, the ATSB provided assistance to the NSW Police by conducting an onsite technical examination of the recovered airframe. The ATSB found that the predominantly composite airframe was significantly disrupted, consistent with a relatively high energy impact with the water. Almost all of the major airframe components, flight controls, linkages, and control surfaces were available and examined by the ATSB, which did not identify any pre-existing defects that could have contributed to a premature, in-flight component failure.

Information on ATSB investigation of sport aviation accidents is available here.

Any enquiries relating to the investigation should be directed to the New South Wales Police Force.