What happened
Following a suspension of domestic services due to industrial action, a private pilot operated a flight between Melbourne and Hobart to transport stranded passengers. The return leg from Hobart involved the aircraft VH-EXQ, a single-engine aircraft, carrying five passengers. During the descent toward Hobart Airport, the pilot was instructed to hold at the Tea Tree locator to maintain separation from another aircraft. However, due to a misunder 못한 instruction, the pilot continued directly toward the airport.
To expedite arrivals, the controller had offered an ILS approach for Runway 12 instead of a circling approach for Runway 30. The pilot attempted this approach but maintained a high airspeed of approximately 200 knots. After noticing the aircraft was too high, the pilot abandoned the Runway 12 approach and transitioned to a right downwind leg for Runway 30. During this maneuver, the pilot increased power, which caused the aircraft to yaw to the right. Upon identifying a failure in the right engine, the pilot feathered the propeller and retracted the landing gear and flaps.
While attempting to maintain altitude and airspeed, the pilot turned left to avoid Single Hill near Frederick Henry Bay. The aircraft subsequently descended into the water. All 6 occupants were successfully rescued, though the aircraft was lost.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to fly under Instrument Flight Rules without the required rating.
- The pilot did not maintain the necessary configuration or airspeed for safe flight following the engine power loss.
- Mechanical inspections revealed general wear in the left engine and a fuel injector system that was outside of manufacturer specifications.
- A slight timing fault was identified in one magneto on the right engine, though the specific cause of the power loss remained undetermined.