An Extra 300 aerobatic aircraft that was damaged when it struck a barrier while taxiing at the Mount Panorama Circuit then took off and flew through a no‑fly area, an ATSB report details.
The aircraft was being used to deliver the trophy for the annual Bathurst 1000 motor race on 13 October 2024, with a single pilot on board.
The aircraft had taken off from Bathurst Airport, about 10 km to the west, before landing on the Mountain Straight section of Mount Panorama Circuit for the trophy handover.
After landing, the pilot conducted a reversal turn, during which the aircraft struck a barrier, resulting in damage to the tailplane.
"The pilot reported not feeling the impact, but a media helicopter pilot immediately alerted them to the issue, and recommended checking the aircraft's tail before taking off," ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.
After taxiing to deliver the trophy, the pilot conducted a full control check and a visual check of the tail from their cockpit seated position.
With no control problems or damage identified, the pilot taxied the aircraft back uphill along Mountain Straight, before turning around again and taking off in the opposite direction from which they had landed.
"Both the landing and take‑off tracks took the aircraft into a designated 'no‑fly area' occupied by spectators, which did not comply with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's required spectator safety heights and distances for an air display," Mr Macleod said.
"Moreover, the pilot did not conduct an external inspection after striking the barrier, and the take off and return flight to Bathurst Airport were conducted with the damaged tailplane."
The ATSB's report details previous application processes undertaken by the pilot for air displays at other motor races, where the pilot was regularly advised by CASA staff of the regulations restricting operating over or near spectators, and at times changed plans accordingly.
"However, the pilot's application for the Bathurst 1000 did not describe how the landing or take off on Mountain Straight would occur," Mr Macleod noted.
"Due to obstacles at the southern end, the take‑off and landing could only have been conducted from the north, over the no‑fly area, which was clearly marked in the pilot's submitted diagram, but this was not specified in the application process."
The ATSB found that CASA approved the pilot's application despite the limited information provided.
Mr Macleod noted CASA's advisory circular for air displays acknowledges the level of risk for air displays may be elevated for those onboard the aircraft, such displays must not increase risk for spectators and others on the ground.
"All air display personnel, including the organiser, air and ground coordinators, and pilots, must ensure displays are planned in compliance to the requirements, and conducted within these approved arrangements," Mr Macleod concluded.
You can find here the report: Collision with terrain involving Extra EA 300-LT, VH-XKW, about 10 km west-south-west of Bathurst Airport, New South Wales on 13 October 2024
