The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has credited teamwork for a good outcome after a VFR aircraft accidentally flew into cloud in September of last year.
The pilot of Piper Warrior VH-TAU was on a navigational exercise near Latrobe Valley on 8 September when the aircraft was swallowed by cloud. The pilot contacted Melbourne Centre, who co-ordinated with a nearby flying instructor to talk the CPL student safely back to Moorabbin.
"The importance of seeking assistance from ATC as soon as the pilot is in difficulty, or preferably before they reach that point, cannot be overstated," the ATSB said in the report released this week.
"This is a common and important message in most of the educational material on VFR into IMC scenarios. It almost certainly led to a good outcome in this occurrence. ATC could prioritise resources and gain assistance from a nearby aircraft.
"In this occurrence, good teamwork between the pilots of both aircraft and air traffic control ensured a successful outcome."
The pilot was a PPL doing a planned CPL navex from Moorabbin to Bairnsdale via Yarram in Victoria, with the return leg via Latrobe Valley. The pilot encountered low cloud over the ranges on the first leg and elected to return to Moorabbin. In trying to turn around, the pilot inadvertantly entered cloud.
After stopping the turn and leveling the wings, the pilot contacted an air traffic controller, who enlisted the help of a flying instructor in a nearby Cirrus SR22. The instructor mentored the pilot through a climb to break through cloud at 6400 feet and arranged all airways clearances needed to return to Moorabbin safely on top of the cloud.
The SR22 accompanied VH-TAU to a point overhead Port Phillip Bay where the pilot could descend safely and land at Moorabbin.
The full story is in the investigation report on the ATSB website.