Summary
On 3 April 2008, a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six aircraft, registered VH-ZMP, lost engine power shortly after take-off from Brampton Island, Qld and ditched into the sea. The pilot and the four passengers evacuated the aircraft before it sank and were later recovered by rescue helicopter. The engine power loss was consistent with fuel starvation.
Following the event, the aircraft operator amended Cherokee Six fuel procedures to require a minimum of 30 L of fuel in the selected fuel tank for any take off.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | AO-2008-022 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 03/04/2008 |
| Location | Brampton Island |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 20/03/2009 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation level | Systemic |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Fuel starvation |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | Minor |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Piper Aircraft Corp |
|---|---|
| Model | PA-32 |
| Registration | VH-ZMP |
| Serial number | 32-7440019 |
| Sector | Piston |
| Operation type | Charter |
| Departure point | Brampton Island Qld |
| Damage | Destroyed |