The ATSB has published a preliminary report into its ongoing investigation of a collision with water accident involving a Beech Baron charter aircraft near Groote Eylandt, in the Northern Territory.
The preliminary report summarises evidence gathered in the ATSB’s investigation into the accident, and details that the twin-engine aircraft was being flown from Gove to Numbulwar, to collect four passengers for return to Gove, on 25 August 2026.
Flight data, transmitted via the mobile phone network from the OzRunways application on the pilot’s iPad, showed the pilot took off from Gove at 1058, and tracked towards Numbulwar to the south‑south‑west, reaching top‑of‑climb at 4,700 ft about 4 minutes later.
At about 1127, witnesses who were fishing while at anchor near Isle Woodah, about halfway along the planned route, saw the aircraft pass, and reported hearing the noise of the aircraft becoming louder, which they associated with the engine operating at high revolutions per minute.
They observed the aircraft descend at an estimated 35–45° nose down attitude with its wings-level, before it collided with the water at very high speed.
The fishermen went to the accident site and found an oil/fuel slick, and many small floating pieces of the aircraft.
Subsequent NT Police diving operations confirmed the aircraft was heavily fragmented, which was consistent with the witness reports of a high velocity impact into the water. The pilot was fatally injured.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted the available flight data did not capture about the last 3 minutes of the flight.
“The last reported data point was at 1124, approximately 3 minutes prior to the impact, while the aircraft was still at 4,800 ft, and 23 km from the accident site,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The aircraft was not fitted with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, nor was it required to be, and there was no ADS‑B data.”
Recorded radio broadcasts were limited to a taxi for departure call, and a departure call, made by the pilot, on the CTAF for Gove, at the start of the flight.
Mr Mitchell said as the investigation proceeds, it will include further examination of aircraft maintenance records, and operational and pilot documentation.
“Investigators will also review components and other items that may be recovered from the aircraft,” he said.
A 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 appropriate and timely safety action can be taken,” Mr Mitchell added.
Read the preliminary report: Collision with water involving Beechcraft 58 Baron, VH-AKH, 61 km north-west of Groote Eylandt Airport, Northern Territory, on 25 August 2026