Willowbank aircraft accident - Colin Hicklin, Barbara McLelland, Nigel O'Gorman, Susanne Williams, Anthony Winter

Contributing factors

• Partial engine failure after takeoff
• Pilot inexperience with EFATO (Engine Failure After Takeoff)
• Inadequate pilot training and oversight by operator
• Aircraft overloaded by 113kg above maximum takeoff weight
• Inadequate preflight briefing to passengers
• No weight and balance form completed
• Passengers not restrained by safety harnesses contrary to handbook
• Passengers not wearing helmets contrary to APF policy
• Previous unreported aircraft malfunctions
• Lack of regulatory oversight by CASA
• Inadequate APF oversight of aircraft maintenance and operations
• Fuel storage issues leading to fuel degradation
• Aircraft modifications (turbo-charged engine) potentially associated with fuel vaporization issues

Coroner's recommendations

1. CASA issue an advisory bulletin alerting operators of Cessna 206 aircraft of the possible dangers of modifying those aircraft in accordance with STC 2123NM and the need to vary the manner in which the aircraft is operated if the modification has been made
2. CASA reconsider its interpretation of s27 of the Civil Aviation Act and Civil Aviation Regulation 206 and revise its policy of devolving the surveillance of all aspects of publicly offered tandem parachuting to the APF
3. APF review the utility of single point cabin floor restraints and the safety impact of tandem skydivers wearing helmets, and implement findings of such research
4. CASA consider requiring pilots who have not received current training in responding to an EFATO to undertake such training before their licences are next renewed