Accident Overview
On 22 March 2010, at 1009 Central Standard Time, an Embraer - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica EMB-120ER Brasilia departed on a training flight from runway 29 at Darwin Aerodrome, Northern Territory. The aircraft carried two crew members, who were the sole occupants. Prior to departure, the training captain informed the aerodrome controller that the flight would include asymmetric flight (simulated engine failure), and the controller approved the manoeuvre.
Sequence of Events
After becoming airborne, witnesses observed the aircraft roll and deviate left from its take-off path. The rolling motion continued, and the aircraft entered a steep nose-down attitude. It descended into trees south of the runway threshold, and shortly thereafter a column of black smoke was seen rising from the impact site.
Post-Crash Response
Aerodrome rescue and fire fighting services arrived quickly and extinguished the fire. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was seriously damaged due to impact forces and an intense post-impact fire.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilia, equipped with two Pratt and Whitney Canada PW118A gas turbine engines, each rated at 1,800 shaft horsepower. Each engine drove a four-bladed Hamilton Standard constant speed, full-feathering, reversing propeller through a reduction gearbox. The propeller blades were of composite construction.
Investigation
The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Further information can be found on their website at www.atsb.gov.au.