What happened
During a charter operation in Western Australia, a Cessna 208B, registered VH-LNH, experienced a loss of power shortly after departure from Solomon Airport. The aircraft was en route to Karratha when the single-turbine engine failed while the plane was in a steady climb. Following the failure, the flight crew evaluated their options and determined that an emergency landing on a nearby dirt road, located within the Solomon mine precinct, was the most appropriate course of action.
The investigation
An investigation was conducted to examine the mechanical failure of the engine and the subsequent emergency procedures. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events leading from the departure to the forced landing, specifically analyzing the technical aspects of the engine failure and the decision-making processes employed by the crew during the emergency.