Coroner's Finding: Southwell, Sandra
Deceased
Sandra Southwell
Demographics
female
Date of death
2018-01-20
Finding date
2020-04-15
Cause of death
multiple traumatic injuries sustained in aircraft crash
AI-generated summary
Sandra Southwell died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained in a Cessna 182P aircraft crash at Tomahawk, Tasmania. The pilot attempted to land with a tailwind after failing to identify the prevailing easterly wind direction. Pre-flight weather checks via an app provided insufficient local wind data. The airstrip lacked a windsock—a simple device that would have clearly indicated wind direction. The pilot misinterpreted a ground signal warning against the landing approach. During the go-around attempt, there may have been incorrect flap positioning. Clinical lessons: the importance of accurate environmental situational awareness, the value of simple safety devices, and recognising when to abort approaches. The coroner recommended mandatory windsock installation at all airstrips.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- failure to identify prevailing wind direction before landing attempt
- inadequate weather forecast information from pre-flight planning app
- absence of windsock at private airstrip
- misinterpretation of ground warning signal
- possibly incorrect flap positioning during go-around attempt
- landing with tailwind on insufficient runway length
- deteriorating weather conditions creating pressure to land
Coroner's recommendations
- Amend Civil Aviation Regulation CAAP 92-1(1) to make installation of windsocks mandatory at all aeroplane landing areas and ensure appropriate maintenance of installed windsocks
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