The ATSB’s ongoing investigation of a forced landing accident involving a Cessna Conquest charter aircraft in Broome is examining operational and maintenance procedures, survivability, and aircraft design factors.
An ATSB preliminary report, which details factual information established in the investigation’s early evidence gathering phase, but contains no findings, notes the Skippers Aviation-operated aircraft was carrying two pilots and five passengers when both of its engines shut down soon after take-off from Broome Airport on 19 March 2026.
The pilots – one in command under supervision, who was pilot flying seated in the left seat, and a training captain in the right seat – conducted a forced landing in mangroves, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft and injuries to all seven on board, including one passenger who was seriously injured.
“The preliminary report notes the aircraft’s right engine fuel control computer was not working, but this was logged on the MEL deferred defect log, meaning the aircraft could still operate, subject to specific conditions,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“This meant the aircraft’s engines had to be started in manual mode, with the pilots planning to use the left and right START buttons to enrich each engine with fuel – a task managed by the fuel control computers during normal operations.
The preliminary report notes the Cessna 441 flight manual says the START buttons, which are located in proximity to the STOP buttons on a panel to the left of the left pilot seat, can be used to enrich fuel, aiding engine acceleration to 100% RPM during the take-off roll (but the manual does not mention the use of the START buttons for enrichment during other phases of flight).
Climbing at about 500 ft soon after take-off, the pilot flying announced they would enrich the engines again, as engine torque was below the target range.
“Pressing what they believed to be the left and right START buttons – without looking at the panel – the pilot flying recalled a change in engine sound, feeling the aircraft yaw slightly and an absence of thrust,” Mr Mitchell explained.
“The training captain, who also reported an immediate sound change, called for an air start and instructed the pilot flying to press the START buttons again, and pulled the power levers back to the position required for an air start.
“However, with limited altitude available, the training captain decided to conduct the forced landing.”
Mr Mitchell said operational procedures and training, maintenance and minimum equipment list (MEL) practices, and aircraft design features like the START/STOP buttons, will be reviewed further as the investigation progresses.
Another focus will be survivability considerations, with the preliminary report noting there was significant disruption to the cabin interior during the forced landing, including two passenger seats detaching from their seat tracks, and a third seat partially detaching.
Mr Mitchell noted that the information detailed in preliminary reports may be subject to change should new evidence become available to the investigation.
“A final report detailing the ATSB’s findings and the analysis to support those conclusions, as well as any additional supporting evidence, will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.”
Read the preliminary report: In-flight engine shutdown and forced landing involving Cessna 441, VH-LBZ, 3.6 km from Broome Airport, Western Australia, on 19 March 2026