What happened
On 30 May 2017, a Cessna 441 aircraft, registered VH-XMJ, was conducting a flight involving two separate proficiency checks. Operated by AE Charter (trading as Rossair), the flight departed Adelaide Airport with the intention of visiting Renmark Airport. The crew consisted of an inductee pilot performing a check, a chief pilot being assessed for check pilot approval, and a Civil Aviation Safety Authority inspector observing the proceedings.
After departing Adelaide, the aircraft climbed to approximately 17,000 feet and proceeded toward the Renmark area to perform various flight exercises, including instrument approaches and holding patterns. During these maneuvers, the inductee pilot handled radio communications. While the flight deviated slightly from the original plan by omitting a single-engine go-around, the aircraft successfully landed at Renmark Airport.
Following the landing, the crew prepared for a subsequent departure from runway 25 to continue airwork. An observer at the airport noted that the aircraft remained stationary for a moment at high power before beginning its takeoff roll. Shortly after reaching an altitude of 300 to 400 feet, the aircraft began drifting right of the runway centerline. The plane continued to climb to roughly 600 feet before descending to 500 feet, at which point all flight data transmissions ceased.
A distress beacon was detected at 1625, prompting search operations. The wreckage was discovered later that evening approximately 4 km west of the airport. The accident resulted in 3 fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a deviation from the runway centerline during the initial climb phase following takeoff.