An ATSB preliminary report details factual information gathered in the early stages of the on-going transport safety investigation into a light aircraft accident north of Sale last month.
A pilot and two passengers were fatally injured when their Morgan Cougar aircraft impacted a paddock about 19 km north of Sale, in Victoria's Gippsland region, on 16 November 2024.
After taking off from West Sale, the kit-built aircraft had flown north and conducted a series of turns over the township of Maffra. It then flew west before orbiting overhead a Tinamba West property, which belonged to relatives of the aircraft occupants.
"Footage from a camera located about 700 metres from the accident site shows the aircraft in a left turn, before it pitched nose down and descended in the left turn behind a tree line," ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
"ATSB transport safety investigators' examination of the accident site identified the aircraft impacted flat and open terrain."
The aircraft was further affected by a post-impact fuel-fed fire.
"As the investigation proceeds, the ATSB will analyse and examine the avionics unit and aircraft components recovered from the accident site, and will review aircraft records, including design and certification standards," Mr Mitchell said.
"Investigators will also review witness reports and interviews with key personnel."
The ATSB will release a final report at the conclusion of the investigation.
"In coming months, our investigators will continue to examine and analyse all evidence available to develop findings and identify safety action that can help reduce the likelihood of another tragic accident such as this one," Mr Mitchell concluded.
You can find here the preliminary report: Collision with terrain involving a Morgan Cougar Mk1 aircraft, VH-LDV, 19 km north-north-west of West Sale Airport, Victoria on 16 November 2024
