Narrative: The RJ85 aircraft was being prepared for a charter flight from Perth Airport to Granny Smith, Australia. During the pre-flight checks, the flight crew did not identify that there was no pressure in the braking system and did not pressurise this system prior to engine start. Around the time of the start of the final engine in the starting sequence, the aircraft began to roll forward. The dispatcher noticed the aircraft rolling and alerted the crew. The crew attempted to use their foot brakes and the park-brake, however, there was no brake pressure. Around 18 seconds after the aircraft started to roll, it collided with movable aircraft stairs, which were in front of the Cobham terminal. The stairs struck the front of the aircraft, beneath the right pilot seat. Shortly after, NJW collided with a bollard in front of a light pole, then with the light pole itself.
Probable Cause:
Findings - The crew did not effectively check the brake system pressure during either the originating checklist or the starting checklist. As a result, the crew did not identify that there was no brake pressure prior to engine start. - After engine start, the aircraft inadvertently rolled forward and collided with objects at the edge of the apron. The absence of brake pressure, the slope of the apron and the absence of a nose-wheel chock were contributory to the aircraft rolling forward. - The operator's dispatch practices did not involve placing chocks on the nose-wheel for engine start. Although some ground handling procedures indicated nose-wheel chocks should be used, the operators training did not involve a step to place chocks on aircraft nose-wheels. The absence of a nose-wheel chock fore of the aircraft reduced the defences against the aircraft rolling forward. - The crew had a very limited opportunity to take corrective action before the aircraft collided with objects at the edge of the apron. It is likely that the short distance to the edge of the apron and the influence of surprise combined to reduce the crews ability to respond.
FIFO workers have just evacuated the Cobham Aviation terminal at Perth Airport. Earlier this afternoon a plane crashed into the light pole seen here behind the building. No one was injured but plane was damaged. Emergency crews are now trying to safely remove the aircraft @6PRpic.twitter.com/jq1jvdWCf0
INCIDENT: Cobham Aviation BAe RJ85 VH-NJW suffered brake failure while taxiing and collided with the terminal building at Perth, WA at ~1420AWST today (0620UTC). No injuries reported among the 62 passengers and 4 crew.https://t.co/bJnGNsGsq6https://t.co/RAaG8Z09ndpic.twitter.com/y7CXi9278l
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 Perth Airport, WA to Granny Smith Airport, WA as the crow flies is 712 km (445 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.