Descent below minimum safe altitude and ground proximity alert involving Cessna 560, VH-OHE, 23 km north-east of Perth Airport, Western Australia, on 13 August 2025

The ATSB is investigating a descent below minimum safe altitude and ground proximity alert involving a Cessna 560, registration VH-OHE, 23 km north-east of Perth Airport, Western Australia, on 13 August 2025.

Prior to commencing an instrument approach for runway 24 at Perth Airport, the aircraft descended below the minimum safe altitude. During this time flight crew reported that the autopilot disengaged and recalled observing an autopilot fail message on the primary flight displays.

The aircraft continued descending, and the flight crew subsequently received a terrain alert from the enhanced ground proximity warning system fitted to the aircraft. After responding to the alert, the flight crew continued the instrument approach and landed on runway 24.

The ATSB has completed the evidence collection and analysis phases of the investigation and is drafting the final report. 

The final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.