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| Date: | Wednesday 23 October 2024 |
| Time: | 09:30 LT |
| Type: |  Air Tractor AT-504 |
| Owner/operator: | Moura Aerial Agriculture |
| Registration: | VH-FFS |
| MSN: | 504-4009 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2011 |
| Engine model: | P&W Canada Inc PT6A-34AG |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Baralaba, QLD -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | |
| Investigating agency: | ATSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information verified through data from accident investigation authorities |
An Air Tractor AT-504 was on approach to land at a private aircraft landing area, about 28 km south-east of Duaringa, Queensland, when a water bottle fell onto the floor in the cockpit and rolled in front of the copilot’s left rudder pedal. The pilot decided to abort the landing and climb to a safe altitude to try to retrieve the bottle before attempting another approach. However, during the climb and after retracting the flaps, the aircraft suddenly yawed sharply to the left.
The pilot recalled attempting to correct the yaw by depressing the right rudder pedal, but this was ineffective. While trying to regain control, the pilot couldn't find the bottle. Realising that the aircraft was close to entering a spin, the pilot chose not to increase power, as this would have worsened the yaw and required more opposite aileron.
The pilot chose to attempt a landing, however collided with trees short of an open field. The impact with trees caused the aircraft to veer left and overturn, eventually coming to rest upside down. The pilot, who sustained minor injuries, was able to exit before a fire consumed the aircraft following the impact
Sources:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-23/pilot-survives-fiery-light-plane-crash-at-barnard-queensland/104508044
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/crime/pilot-miraculously-walks-away-with-minor-injuries-from-fiery-plane-crash-near-baralaba-central-queensland/news-story/2972bea84292231635b06ab520016fa0
https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/occurrence-briefs/2024/aviation/collision-terrain-involving-air-tractor-inc-504-28-km-south-east-duaringa-queensland-23-october-2024
https://www.regosearch.com/search/results/?&co=au&Nf4=regholdname&Of4=eq&Vf4=EXPEDITION+AERIAL+SERVICE+PTY.+LTD.
https://www.australiacheck.com/qld/expedition-aerial-service
https://www.airhistory.net/photo/120942/VH-FFS
Media:
A man in his 30s has managed to walk away from a fiery plane crash west of Gladstone with only minor injuries.
— 10 News First Queensland (@10NewsFirstQLD) October 23, 2024
Emergency crews were called to the scene off Duaringa Baralaba Road around 9:30am.
The man was able to free himself from the wreckage before the aircraft caught fire.… pic.twitter.com/PfF1fEFKMY
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 23-Oct-2024 06:00 | gerard57 | Added |
| 23-Oct-2024 16:25 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Embed code, Narrative, ] |
| 23-Oct-2024 16:27 | Aerossurance | Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative, ] |
| 28-Oct-2024 10:52 | AgOps | Updated [Time, Registration, Cn, Source, ] |
| 29-Oct-2024 07:51 | ASN | Updated [Narrative, ] |
| 27-Nov-2024 11:25 | ASN | Updated [Source, Narrative, ] |
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