Accident Summary
On 9 April 2008, at 2325 Eastern Standard Time, a Fairchild Industries Inc. SA227-AC (Metro III) aircraft, registered VH-OZA, departed Sydney Airport, New South Wales on a freight charter flight to Brisbane, Queensland. The flight was operated by a single pilot. Shortly after departure, the aircraft was observed on radar making a right turn contrary to air traffic control instructions for a left turn to an easterly heading. The pilot reported a 'slight technical fault' and then ceased all radio transmissions. Radar data showed the aircraft turning right then left, followed by a descent and climb, a second right turn, and a second descent before radar contact was lost at an altitude of 3,740 ft above mean sea level with a descent rate exceeding 10,000 ft/min. Search efforts recovered a small amount of wreckage floating in the ocean south of the last radar position. The pilot was presumed to be fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. Both flight recorders were later recovered from the ocean floor but contained data only from previous flights, not the accident flight. There was no evidence of a midair breakup.
Investigation Findings
The investigation identified contributing safety factors. It was very likely that the aircraft's alternating current electrical power system was not energized at any time during the flight. Additionally, it was very likely that the aircraft became airborne without a functioning primary attitude reference or autopilot. The added workload of managing the reported technical fault, combined with the lack of these systems, likely led to pilot spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control.
Other safety factors were also noted. The pilot's Metro III endorsement training was not conducted in accordance with the operator's approved training and checking manual, compromising assurance of pilot competence and operational safety. The chief pilot was simultaneously fulfilling duties of several key positions, increasing the risk of omissions in training and checking requirements. Furthermore, conducting the flight single-pilot increased the risk of errors such as failing to activate or notice the failure of essential aircraft systems or comply with directions.