Investigation number
198700761
Occurrence date
Location
11 km SW Streaky Bay
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Airframe - Other
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal

The pilot had intended to go fish spotting in his aircraft. At about 1730 hours the aircraft was observed flying at about 100 feet above ground level and heading towards Streaky Bay. No further sightings of the aircraft were reported and when the pilot failed to return home a search was commenced. The wreckage was subsequently located the following morning. The aircraft had impacted in light mulga scrub in a steep nose down attitude. Investigation revealed that the main body tube had suffered an in-flight failure due to metal fatigue. The point of failure was at a junction of the rear engine pylon brace and the body-tube. The fatigue cracking initiated at rivet holes on the upper surface of the body-tube, beneath a doubler in an area which could not be visually inspected. The manufacturer had identified this problem and issued a mandatory inspection directive for this part, but the subject aircraft had not been inspected. Although the pilot was advised of this requirement by a friend, it is unlikely that he received any formal notification of it from the manufacturers local agent.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Unknown
Model
Birdman Chinook WT-11
Serial number
2377
Operation type
Private
Departure point
Streaky Bay SA
Departure time
1710 approx
Destination
Streaky Bay SA
Damage
Substantial