IRMA/Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander – VH-JUU

Incident Overview

Date: Monday 21 March 1994

Aircraft Type: IRMA/Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander

Owner/operator: Aurukun Air Services

Registration Number: VH-JUU

Location: Weipa Airport, QLD (WEI) – ÿ Australia

Phase of Flight: Initial climb

Status: Destroyed, written off

Casualties: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6

Component Affected: Aircraft EnginesAircraft Engines

Investigating Agency: BASIBASI

Category: Accident

On the day before the accident, an Islander aircraft flew from Aurukun to Weipa with the chief pilot occupying the left pilot seat and the pilot involved in the accident occupying the right pilot seat. Before commencing practice circuits, the pilot added 200 L of fuel to the aircraft’s tanks. Subsequently, the aircraft flew to Weipa, where the pilot left the aircraft, instructing the other pilot to fly practice circuits. Approximately 50 minutes before sunset, the aircraft taxied for departure from runway 30 for a 25-minute return flight to Aurukun. During takeoff, engine sounds ceased, and the aircraft attitude shifted from a nose-high climb to a level attitude. Subsequently, engine power surged, causing the aircraft to roll left and descend. The aircraft impacted ground at approximately 350 meters, beyond the departure end of runway 30, and 175 meters to the left of the extended centerline. The pilot’s fuel system management, engine power loss due to fuel starvation, and loss of control are considered significant factors.On the day before the accident, an Islander aircraft flew from Aurukun to Weipa with the chief pilot occupying the left pilot seat and the pilot involved in the accident occupying the right pilot seat. Before commencing practice circuits, the pilot added 200 L of fuel to the aircraft’s tanks. Subsequently, the aircraft flew to Weipa, where the pilot left the aircraft, instructing the other pilot to fly practice circuits. Approximately 50 minutes before sunset, the aircraft taxied for departure from runway 30 for a 25-minute return flight to Aurukun. During takeoff, engine sounds ceased, and the aircraft attitude shifted from a nose-high climb to a level attitude. Subsequently, engine power surged, causing the aircraft to roll left and descend. The aircraft impacted ground at approximately 350 meters, beyond the departure end of runway 30, and 175 meters to the left of the extended centerline. The pilot’s fuel system management, engine power loss due to fuel starvation, and loss of control are considered significant factors.

Description

On the day before the accident, the Islander aircraft flew from Aurukun to Weipa with the chief pilot occupying the left pilot seat and the pilot involved in the accident occupying the right pilot seat. At Weipa the chief pilot left the aircraft, instructing the other pilot to fly some practice circuits before returning the aircraft to Aurukun. Before commencing the circuits and the return flight to Aurukun, the aircraft’s two main tanks each contained 100 L of fuel and the two wing tip tanks each contained about 90 L of fuel. On the day of the accident the pilot added 200 L of fuel at Aurukun to the aircraft’s tanks and then flew the aircraft and the passengers to Weipa. About 50 minutes before sunset, the aircraft taxied for departure from runway 30 for the 25-minute return flight to Aurukun. When the aircraft was about 300 ft above ground level after takeoff, a witness reported that all engine sounds stopped and that the aircraft attitude changed from a nose-high climb to a more level attitude. A short time later, the noise of engine power surging was heard. The aircraft rolled left and entered a spiral descent. It struck level ground some 350 m beyond the departure end of runway 30 and 175 m to the left of the extended centreline. SIGNIFICANT FACTORS – The pilot mismanaged the aircraft fuel system. – Both engines suffered a total power loss due to fuel starvation. – The right engine regained power probably as a result of a change in aircraft attitude. – The pilot lost control of the aircraft. – Recovery was not possible in the height available.