An investigation into the crash of a US-registered Glasair has prompted the ATSB to issue a warning about the differences in control systems between certified aircraft and amateur-built experimental (AB-E) aircraft.
Glasair N600 was being flown at Wedderburn, NSW, on Boxing Day last year with two pilots on board when it failed to climb after a go-around. The aircraft impacted terrain 1.5 nm SW of Wedderburn airfield. Neither pilot survived the crash.
According to the ATSB investigation report released this week, the aircraft was consumed by a post-impact fire, limiting the evidence available for examination.
"As such, the reasons for the insufficient climb performance after take-off could not be determined," the report states, "however the ATSB’s investigation report highlights key safety messages for amateur-built aircraft pilots."
ATSB investigators noted that the propeller pitch control rocker switches installed in the T-handle throttle lever worked in the opposite sense relevant to each seat, raising concerns that one of the pilots could accidentally use the rocker switch in reverse, resulting in an inappropriate propeller pitch setting.
Pilots intending to operate amateur-built aircraft should be aware of the potential differences in systems and controls to that of conventional type-certified aircraft,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Dr Stuart Godley said.
“They should also use familiarisation flights to better understand the systems, controls, and emergency operations specific to the aircraft they are flying, and they should use an appropriate aerodrome, and benign weather conditions, for these flights.”
The ATSB’s final report notes the pilots were both highly experienced in multi-engine fixed wing operations, and both held a valid ATPL, but neither had recent experience in single-engine operations, automotive engine conversions, amateur-built aircraft, or the Glasair in general.
According to the report, the go-around at Wedderburn was likely the result of an attempt to land with a quartering tailwind.
The full report is on the ATSB website.