Narrative:The aircraft commenced a take off from Warrnambool Airport, Australia, and became airborne. Prior to undercarriage retraction, a loss of engine power occurred, and the pilot in command deduced that the no.1 (left) engine had failed. He feathered this engine and then became aware that the no.2 (right) engine was delivering only partial power which was insufficient to sustain the aircraft in flight. A suitable area was selected immediately, and a landing with wheels and flaps retracted was made in grassy paddocks on level terrain but the aircraft passed through three fences before coming to rest.
Probable Cause:
Probable Cause: "The cause of the accident was that the pilot in command, on becoming aware of a loss of engine power, took action to feather the propeller after adopting procedures which failed to ensure correct identification of the defective engine."
Classification:
Shutdown of wrong engine
Forced landing outside airport
Sources:
» ICAO Circular 88/74 Volume II (3-6)
»
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Warrnambool Airport, VIC to Melbourne-Essendon Airport, VIC as the crow flies is 224 km (140 miles).
Accident location: Exact; as reported in the official accident report.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.