Investigation number
AO-2008-022
Occurrence date
Location
Brampton Island
State
Queensland
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Systemic
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Fuel starvation
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Minor
On 3 April 2008, a Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee Six aircraft, registered VH-ZMP, lost engine power shortly after take-off from Brampton Island, Qld and ditched into the sea. The pilot and the four passengers evacuated the aircraft before it sank and were later recovered by rescue helicopter. The engine power loss was consistent with fuel starvation.
Following the event, the aircraft operator amended Cherokee Six fuel procedures to require a minimum of 30 L of fuel in the selected fuel tank for any take off.
Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-32
Registration
VH-ZMP
Serial number
32-7440019
Operation type
Charter
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Brampton Island Qld
Departure time
14:10 EST
Damage
Destroyed