What happened
During a private passenger operation transporting workers between Leonora and Laverton in Western Australia, a Beechcraft Queen Air experienced a mechanical failure during its takeoff roll. As the aircraft crossed a runway intersection, the crew felt a significant jolt and heard a loud noise. The pilot observed that the inboard cowl of the right engine had opened.
Believing there was inadequate runway length remaining to perform an emergency stop, the pilot proceeded with the takeoff. During or immediately after the rotation phase, the engine cowl detached from the airframe. While the aircraft successfully lifted off the ground, it failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear nearby obstacles.
The aircraft continued to fly at a very low altitude, approximately at the height of the surrounding trees. The pilot and a passenger then identified a tailings dump embankment directly in their flight path. In an attempt to avoid the obstacle, the pilot applied full aft elevator input. However, the aircraft struck the side of the hillside while traveling at low forward speed. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the Beeclcraft Queen Air. The two occupants sustained serious injuries but were able to exit the wreckage on their own. No fire occurred following the crash, and the onboard emergency locator transmitter failed to trigger.
Findings
- The separation of the engine cowl during the takeoff roll led to a loss of climb performance.
- Insufficient runway remaining to stop prompted the decision to continue the takeoff despite the mechanical issue.