Terry and Bev Fisher, pictured here at an aviation
awards dinner in 2011.
Initial investigations of a fatal plane crash at Mudgee in September have found no suggestion of abnormal engine operation prior to the aircraft’s impact.
Details about the accident were updated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Friday and new evidence is expected to be presented as investigations continue.
About 10.49am on Sunday, September 14, Victorian couple Terry and Bev Fisher were approaching Mudgee Airport in their amateur-built, two-seat Vans Aircraft RV-6.
According to current investigations, Mr Fisher approached Mudgee Airport from the north-west and “conducted a non-standard circuit entry including an orbit to the south.”
“Prior to turning onto the downwind leg of the circuit, the aircraft descended to about 600 feet above ground level. Witnesses stated that the pilot conducted a tight left turn onto final approach at a reported slow speed and low height. Witnesses also recalled hearing the aircraft’s engine ‘sputter’ and ‘stall’,” an Australian Transport Safety Bureau update said.
At about 10.53am, the single-engine plane collided with terrain about 300 metres south-west of Mudgee Airport runway.
Examination of the wreckage by air crash investigators found the aircraft hit the edge of a pond before coming to a rest about 20 metres further against a wire fence near Henry Lawson Drive.
“The impact collapsed the aircraft’s fixed landing gear, damaged the engine carburetor and air filter and ruptured the left wing fuel tank. An unknown quantity of aviation gasoline leaked onto the ground in front of the wreckage until the rupture was plugged by the attending firefighters,” the update said.
“One of the aircraft’s two wooden propeller blades was broken off at the root and had shattered. The other blade remained attached to the hub. The unbroken blade and metal spinner that covered the propeller hub exhibited no evidence of rotational scratch marks or power at impact.”
The aircraft’s engine and associated components were removed and taken to an approved engine overhaul facility for disassembly and examination under the supervision of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
“No evidence was found to suggest abnormal engine operation prior to the impact with terrain,” the Bureau said.
“The engine’s two magnetos and associated spark plugs performed correctly when examined and operationally tested on their respective test rigs.”
Recorded data, including of the accident flight, was successfully downloaded at the Bureau’s technical facilities in Canberra. This data included a series of points indicating the aircraft’s latitude and longitude, altitude, and the respective dates and times of the records.
The Bureau is still examining aircraft maintenance documents, the pilot’s flying and training records, meteorological conditions affecting the flight and recorded data.
- Source: http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au
Collision with terrain involving Vans RV-6 VH-TXF, near Mudgee Airport NSW 14 September 2014
Investigation number: AO-2014-149
Investigation status: Active
The investigation is continuing and will include examination of the:
aircraft maintenance documents
pilot’s flying and training records
meteorological conditions affecting the flight
recorded data.
http://www.atsb.gov.au/Investigation_report
Terry Fisher, in a photo posted on Facebook in January.
Pakenham couple Bev and Terry Fisher in a photo posted by their daughter-in-law on Facebook.
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