CANBERRA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A 2022 fatal survey aircraft crash in remote Western Australia has spotlighted risks and regulatory gaps in low-level air work operations, a report has revealed.
The March 2022 crash of the Cessna 206 survey aircraft, which killed the pilot, underscores the urgent need for stronger risk management in low-altitude operations, according to findings from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
The crash occurred during a geophysical survey 124 km west of Norseman in Western Australia, with the aircraft's wreckage and deceased pilot found five hours after the crash. Despite the delayed emergency response, investigators found it would not have changed the outcome due to the severity of the pilot's injuries, said the ATSB.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the aircraft likely lost control at low altitude during a maneuver, and an aerodynamic stall is plausible but unconfirmed due to lack of data and witnesses.
Air work such as mustering, spraying and geophysical survey is conducted at low levels out of operational necessity, which creates an inherently high risk operating environment, Mitchell said. ■