Antenna failure involving Beechcraft King Air B200, VH-EEL, near Bankstown Airport, New South Wales, on 18 June 2025

Summary

The ATSB is investigating an antenna failure involving a Beechcraft King Air B200, VH-EEL, near Bankstown Airport, New South Wales, on 18 June 2025.

During descent into Bankstown, the VHF antenna fractured. Part of the antenna separated from the aircraft and struck the vertical stabiliser, resulting in minor damage. The pilot briefly lost contact with air traffic control but regained it by switching to another channel. The aircraft landed safely without further incident.

The draft report internal review process has been completed. The draft report has been distributed to directly involved parties (DIPs) to check factual accuracy and ensure natural justice. Any submissions from those parties will be reviewed and, where considered appropriate, the draft report will be amended accordingly.

Following the external review process, any submissions and amendments to the draft report are internally reviewed. Once approved, the final report is prepared for publication and dissemination and released to DIPs prior to its public release. 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.