Saturday 11 November 2023

Light aircraft crashes into ocean in Queensland

A light aircraft that was travelling from the Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY/YBSU) to Pago Pago International Airport (PPG/NSTU) lost an engine and crashed off the Sunshine Coast yesterday.
Queensland Ambulance Service and two rescue helicopters scrambled to help the two occupants after the plane went down about 8.30am around 35 nautical miles off the Mooloolaba coast.

The Cessna 421 departed Sunshine Coast airport at 7.33am from runway 13. Forty-nine minutes into the flight, and passing 12,300 feet, one of the engines failed. The crew reported engine issues to air traffic control and an intent to return the aircraft to Sunshine Coast. During the return, the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude and the crew ditched the aircraft with about 50 km from the coast around 8.30am.
Both passengers managed to escape the aircraft before it sank and was rescued from their life raft.
Luckily a Royal Flying Doctor King Air was in the area and was diverted to meet and follow the disabled aircraft, until the rescue helicopter arrived.

The investigation will seek to determine the nature of the technical issues encountered by the aircraft and to explore and share potential safety learnings from the aircraft's black box. Investigators will also interview the crew and first responders, download and analyse flight tracking data, and obtain and review pilot, operator and aircraft maintenance records.


Aircraft Information:
Owner/Operator: Davies Aviation
Aircraft: Cessna 421C Golden Eagle
Registration: VH-VPY
Serial Number: 421C0688








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