Pilot behind fatal crash had history of ‘risky flying’
The pilot who died in the plane crash along with two others had a known history of “risky” flying behavior, a report has found.
Pilot Luke Smith, 20, his brother Benny, 16, and cousin Dusty Daly, 15, died when the plane crashed into a paddock at Tinamba West in Victoria’s east on November 16, 2024.
The amateurishly built plane crashed 17 minutes after takeoff from West Sale Airport, 220 kilometers east of Melbourne.
An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the aircraft entered an accelerated stall during a steep, low-flying turn.
“As the aircraft turned steeply to the left, it entered a stall too low to recover,” the Bureau’s Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said in a statement. he said.
It also identified a history of risky behavior by the pilot, who had repeatedly warned other aviators against unsafe flying habits.
A flight instructor told investigators that the pilot could fly well but was “pushing the limits.”
Despite these concerns, no evidence was found that a formal complaint had been made to the authorities.
“Although many people knew of the pilot’s risky flying behavior and attempted to advise them, there was no evidence that the incidents were reported to the authorities and counseling efforts were ultimately unsuccessful,” Mr Mitchell said.
He reportedly had a history of low flying and slow, steep turns of the type that precipitated the crash.
Mr Mitchell said the pilot’s risky flying behavior was exacerbated by “irregularities” in his training at the Adventure Flight Training school.
The school closed three months before the crash after its chief flight instructor received a safety-related suspension notice.
In order to reduce the risks arising from possible information gaps, other graduates of the school were suspended after the accident.
The Bureau also reviewed the pilot’s exam history and found that the pilot made repeated errors regarding aerodynamic stopping and likely lacked relevant knowledge.
Design problems with the aircraft, an amateur-built Morgan Cougar Mk1 light aircraft, were found to have contributed to the severity of the injuries.
The investigation revealed that the pilot had just purchased the aircraft and had not undergone transition training.
The report revealed failures by Recreational Aviation Australia to monitor exams at the school and prevent its graduates from flying after the crash.
Tongala Football and Netball Club, where the brothers play, paid tribute to their social contributions.
In the statement made at the time of the accident, it was said: “The lives of two beautiful, happy, energetic, talented and loved boys from Tongala were tragically cut short.”
“Their absence will leave an irreplaceable void in the hearts of all who knew and loved them.”
Recreational Aviation Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are overhauling their online exams and suspension reporting protocols following the crash.
AAP has contacted Recreational Aviation Australia for comment.
