What happened
During the initial phase of a medical transport mission departing from Merredin, the pilot encountered a pitch trim runaway emergency. This condition caused the aircraft's trim to move uncontrollably, making flight stability difficult to maintain. Throughout the remainder of the flight, the pilot struggled to keep the aircraft under control. To manage the emergency, the pilot requested assistance from the doctor on board, and the two worked together to coordinate inputs necessary to complete a safe landing.
The investigation
The investigation reviewed the circumstances surrounding the flight, noting that the aircraft was fully serviceable for the departure. The pilot, who possessed approximately seven months of experience operating the PC-12, was properly qualified for the mission. Although the flight took place during a night shift with a departure shortly after midnight, investigators found no evidence of fatigue affecting the pilot's performance. The mission itself, involving a patient transfer, was not classified as a high-priority flight.