Accident Summary
On the morning of 19 December 2021, a Rockwell Commander 114, registered VH-WMM, departed Redcliffe aircraft landing area in Queensland for a private flight. The pilot and three passengers were on board. Shortly after take-off, the engine lost power. The pilot elected to return to the airfield. During the return, the aircraft lost altitude and impacted the ocean before becoming inverted. The occupants were unable to escape and were fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that during pre-flight preparations, the pilot became distracted by a perceived engine problem and did not complete the remaining pre-take-off checks, including fuel tank selection, after rectifying the issue. The fuel selector was found set to the left tank; due to a fuel imbalance from storage, the left tank likely had minimal fuel. This led to fuel starvation and engine stoppage soon after take-off. The pilot, under stress and time pressure, did not conduct initial emergency actions and attempted to return to the runway, but did not maintain glide speed. Additionally, the undercarriage was extended for the intended landing, which contributed to the aircraft inverting upon water impact. This likely caused occupant disorientation and difficulty in escaping.
The investigation also found that checklists were not used; the pilot relied on memory. Passengers likely did not receive a pre-flight briefing on brace positions or ditching actions, and the pilot did not provide an emergency briefing after power loss. Seating a child adjacent to an exit instead of an adult meant a less suitable passenger was available to operate the exit.
Safety Issues
Use of approved aircraft checklists from the pilot operating handbook is essential. Distraction can lead to omission of critical steps. Proper fuel management ensures uninterrupted supply. Thorough pre-flight briefings increase post-impact survivability. Pilots should consider seating passengers best able to assist in emergencies.