Pilot praised for quick thinking before Mona Vale golf course crash
A quick-thinking pilot instructor’s decision to use a golf course as an emergency runway after the engine of a light aircraft failed about 500 meters above Sydney’s northern beaches helped prevent a worse crash, an investigation has found.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) investigation into the light aircraft crash on the Mona Vale golf club fairway on 17 August 2025, in which a student pilot suffered minor injuries, found that an exhaust valve caused engine failure.
The investigation concluded that the valve on the third cylinder of the engine of a 1967 Piper Cherokee broke away from its body, causing major damage.
The cause of the exhaust valve failure could not be determined, but the engine manufacturer had previously issued advice about the risks of engine oil contamination causing valves to stick.
The aircraft took off from Wollongong for a navigation training flight with the student pilot and instructor on board. However, when unusual sounds began to be heard during the flight, the engine speed began to decrease rapidly.
About six minutes later, as he attempted to reach the Long Reef golf course and the engine was gradually losing power, the instructor decided to land at the Mona Vale golf course instead.
According to the ATSB report, there were fewer trees at Long Reef, but Mona Vale was closer and engine speed was gradually decreasing.
“This research highlights the importance of effective decision-making skills in emergency situations,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
Previous ATSB investigations have highlighted that delaying the landing decision after engine failure can lead to more difficult landings.
The instructor’s decision to land earlier likely minimized the adverse consequences of the crash landing, the bureau said.
However, in the final stages of the approach the pilot realized that the aircraft could not land safely straight ahead and made a right turn to avoid the facilities, dropping the right wing and causing the aircraft to land heavily.
He stopped in front of the clubhouse on the 15th hole.
While the plane suffered major damage during landing, the student pilot was slightly injured.
Airspeed Aviation, the operator of the leased aircraft, reviewed its processes and consulted with other industry participants to create guidance on the use of older-engined aircraft in response to the accident, the ATSB said.
Be the first to know when important news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts Turn on notifications in email or in the app.
Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
