What happened
On 2 October 1994, an Aero Commander 690, registration VH-SVQ, was operating a scheduled passenger service from Sydney to Lord Howe Island, with a planned stop at Williamtown. The flight, operated by a single-pilot crew, departed Sydney at 1117 hours carrying baggage transferred from another company flight. After a routine arrival at Williamtown, the pilot taxied for departure, notifying flight services of an intention to climb to flight level 210.
During the climb, the pilot reported passing 20,000 feet at 1229 hours. Radar data indicated that the climb was interrupted at 20,400 feet at 1231:22, followed by a descent three seconds later. The aircraft's last radar contact occurred at 19,800 feet at 1232:54. Although the pilot later reported maintaining flight level 160 and provided an updated position estimate, the aircraft failed to report at its scheduled position, 'Shrimp'.
During radio communications with another company aircraft, the pilot of VH-SVQ mentioned experiencing severe vibration, which he suspected might be related to propeller or airframe icing. Despite this, the pilot indicated that propeller heat systems appeared to be functioning correctly. Following a period of silence, an uncertainty phase was declared at 1325, and a distress phase was later initiated at 1411. Other company crews reported hearing a final transmission from the pilot stating he had "lost it."
Findings
- The pilot reported experiencing intense vibrations during the climb.
- The pilot suspected the cause of the vibration was related to icing on the propeller or airframe.