Summary
On 12 August 2010, a Cessna Aircraft Company U206F aircraft, registered VH-TZV, was conducting parachuting operations near Gladstone, Queensland. Soon after take-off, as the aircraft was climbing through 1,000 ft, the aircraft's engine lost power.
The pilot was unable to restart the engine and conducted an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft was significantly damaged and some of the occupants sustained serious injuries.
The reason for the engine failure could not be determined.
Pilots should consider the effect an in-flight engine failure at low altitude would have on the time available to manage the failure and identify a suitable forced landing area. In this instance, the pilot was able complete some emergency checks and turn the aircraft away from a water course in an attempt to conduct a forced landing on a gravel road. It is likely that this action positively influenced the outcome for the occupants of the aircraft.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | AO-2010-062 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 12/08/2010 |
| Location | 4.5 km N Gladstone Aerodrome |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 28/01/2011 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation level | Short |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Engine failure or malfunction |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | Serious |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Cessna Aircraft Company |
|---|---|
| Model | 206 |
| Registration | VH-TZV |
| Serial number | U20602304 |
| Sector | Piston |
| Operation type | Private |
| Departure point | Gladstone, Qld |
| Destination | Gladstone, Qld |
| Damage | Substantial |