Investigation number
199701398
Occurrence date
State
Victoria
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Accident

The pilot reported that during cruise at 2,300 ft the engine gradually lost power until he was committed to a forced landing. During the forced landing the aircraft flew through the tops of 40 ft trees and then under a powerline. The aircraft then hit and killed two sheep, ran through a depression, became airborne again and finally hit the ground heavily before coming to a stop. The engine is a sealed rotary liquid cooled unit which can only be dismantled at the manufacturer's facility in England. A post accident inspection revealed a coolant hose had detached from the water pump but it could not be determined if this initiated the engine failure or was a result of the accident. Traces of internal seal material were found in the exhaust system so it is possible that a seal failure initiated the engine failure. The owner does not intend to return the engine to the manufacturer for dismantling.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Amateur Built Aircraft
Model
Dragonfly
Registration
VH-HVE
Sector
Piston
Departure point
Mangalore Vic
Destination
Moorabbin Vic
Damage
Substantial