Selected Australian accidents and incidents 2 January to 31 March 2023

2 January

• Aircraft: Jabiru LSA 55/3J
• Location: Wentworth, NSW
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Engine lost power at 200 feet after take-off due to fuel starvation. Aircraft crashed into trees and floodwater. Minor injuries to 2 people.

2 January

• Aircraft: Eurocopter EC130 B4/Eurocopter EC130 B4
• Location: Near Sea World heliport, Gold Coast, Qld
• Fatalities: 4
• Description: Departing and returning helicopters (7 and 6 on board) collided, causing rotor, engine and tail rotor to separate from lower departing helicopter, which crashed, killing 4 people. Upper helicopter forward cabin smashed by rotor blades of lower helicopter but pilot was able to make emergency landing.

4 January

• Aircraft: BAe-146-200
• Location: Approach to Rockhampton Airport, Qld
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft descended below lowest safe altitude and EGPWS terrain alert sounded. Flight crew flew missed approach and diverted to Mackay.

8 January

• Aircraft: de Havilland Canada DHC-8-315Q
• Location: Over central western NSW
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Scheduled flight from Sydney to Griffith depressurised and crew put on oxygen masks before making emergency descent. Aircraft returned to Sydney where engineers replaced cabin pressure controller.

16 January

• Aircraft: Robinson R44
• Location: Tanumburini Station, NT
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Low-rotor rpm horn sounded during initial climb and pilot immediately attempted forced landing. Helicopter collided with trees and main rotor struck tail boom.

21 January

• Aircraft: Robinson R44/Robinson R22
• Location: Archerfield, Qld
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Crew of R44 were forced to take evasive action when R22 crossed close in front.

25 January

• Aircraft: Piper PA-28
• Location: Harden, NSW
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Pilot became unwell during cruise flight and diverted to Harden. Aircraft overran runway on landing and struck a fence.

29 January

• Aircraft: Stoddart-Hamilton Glasair
• Location: White Gum, WA
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft veered off runway on take-off and struck an embankment.

5 February

• Aircraft: Piper PA-32 260 Cherokee Six
• Location: Balwyn North, Vic
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft on flight from Bendigo made forced landing in dog exercise area in suburban Melbourne.

15 February

• Aircraft: Flight Synthesis Texan TC
• Location: Torradin, Vic
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft with student on solo flight ran off end of runway after landing long.

25 February

• Aircraft: ICP Savannah
• Location: Gora, Qld
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft encountered willy-willy on take-off which caused left wing to touch ground and aircraft to cartwheel.

26 February

• Aircraft: Jabiru J160-D
• Location: Chinchilla, Qld
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft had power loss soon after take-off at 300 feet. Aircraft struck tree and fence on landing near airfield, seriously injuring one occupant.

28 February

• Aircraft: Cessna 510 Citation Mustang
• Location: Bankstown Airport, NSW
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft rolled after being parked near hangar because chocks had not been put on main wheels. Rudder, tailcone, left elevator and left wingtip damaged.

11 March

• Aircraft: Pipistrel Alpha Electro
• Location: Lilydale, Vic
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: On upwind leg of fourth circuit, a warning of ‘power control lever failure’ appeared on flight display. Pilot configured for glide and attempted reboot, twice. After these failed, pilot made decision to land off-aerodrome. Aircraft otherwise undamaged. Loose connector in lever mounting found.

17 March

• Aircraft: Cirrus SR22 GTS G3 Turbo
• Location: Bankstown Airport, NSW
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Aircraft crashed on landing, rolling inverted at side of runway. Pilot critically injured.

19 March

• Aircraft: Rans S12 XL
• Location: Serpentine, WA
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Part of propeller separated on take-off, causing severe vibration and loss of thrust. Pilot aborted take-off.

30 March

• Aircraft: Jabiru LSA 55/3J
• Location: The Oaks, NSW
• Fatalities: 0
• Description: Engine failed on dual instructional flight and aircraft hit tree during landing. Instructor and student able to leave aircraft unaided.