CANBERRA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued a safety warning after a Cessna Caravan aircraft crash injured 10 occupants in 2024.
Investigators are urging new pilot training for Pratt & Whitney PT6A aircraft after the plane overran the runway and flipped at Lizard Island, located at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef in the Australian state of Queensland, following an engine malfunction, according to an ATSB report on Friday.
On Jan. 8, 2024, the East Air aircraft carrying nine passengers and a pilot experienced an uncommanded engine acceleration during climb. The pilot's return attempt led to a high-speed landing and runway overrun at Lizard Island, causing the plane to invert and leaving all onboard with minor injuries, it said.
"The uncommanded engine acceleration was likely due to a malfunction of the engine's fuel control unit," said ATSB Director of Transport Safety Kerri Hughes.
Investigators noted that while pilots are routinely trained for "roll back to idle" malfunctions, uncommanded acceleration is both more common and largely absent from training programs.
"While not as immediately dire as an engine failure or rollback to idle, an uncommanded engine acceleration is alarming and requires prompt action to control the aircraft and prevent overstress of the engine and airframe," Hughes said.
The ATSB has since issued a safety advisory encouraging operators worldwide to revise procedures and train pilots on how to respond to such events. ■
