ATSB investigation into fatal Lockhart River plane crash finds pilot error to blame

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The aviation watchdog has discovered pilot error was responsible for a devastating crash that killed all five on board at a beach in Far North Queensland.

Key Points: Five men were killed when a charter flight crashed into the Lockhart River sand dunes in Cape York

The men, all from Cairns, died when the Cessna 404 Titan they were flying into sand dunes near Lockhart River in Cape York on March 11, 2020.

Victims included QBuild workers Wayne Ganter, 63, Henry Roebig, 62, and Wayne Brischke, 57, as well as contractor Mark Rawlings, 49, and pilot Stuart Weavell, 36.

They had been flown to the area for the day to do work at a school.

The Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) has released its final report on the accident.

This image was taken by a passenger on the plane moments before it crashed. (Provided: ATSB)

He revealed that Mr Weavell was attempting to land using an instrument approach on a cloudy, wet morning and seemed unaware that he was flying about 300 meters lower than recommended.

An image taken by a passenger moments before the crash, which was part of the ATSB investigation, shows heavy clouds as a tropical depression hovered off the coast.

At the heart of the investigation

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the plane crashed on its second approach to Lockhart River Airport.

“A faulty altimeter reading from 1,000 feet seems like the most likely scenario. [for the crash]although there is not enough evidence to provide a definitive conclusion,” Mr Mitchell said.

“In any event, it is apparent from the continued descent that the pilot did not effectively monitor the aircraft’s altitude and rate of descent for an extended period, and was likely under load. very high workload.”

The report said an examination of the wreckage revealed that both engines were operating “normally” and there was “no evidence of structural or mechanical faults in the aircraft”.

The report says the plane left Cairns at 7.19am and attempted to land at Lockhart River airfield at 9.06am.

Liz Thomas and her partner, Stuart Weavell. (Provided: Liz Thomas)

A minute later, Mr Weavell advised he was making a missed approach and again attempted to land before crashing into the dunes at 9.19am.

The report said the plane was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder, but was not required to be either.

Mr Mitchell said the ATSB investigation highlighted the importance of a Terrain Avoidance and Warning System (TAWS) in preventing accidents, and urged aircraft operators smaller ones carrying out passenger operations to consider installing them.

“Given the aircraft’s descent profile on the second approach, a TAWS would have provided the pilot with visual and aural warnings of the approaching terrain for an extended period,” he said.

The crash continues to have an impact

The accident had a huge impact on the communities of Lockhart River and Cairns.

Three months after the accident, Mr Weavell’s partner, Liz Thomas, told the ABC he had accumulated 3,000 flying hours.

Wayne Butcher speaks with police officer Mark Henderson at the Lockhart River crash site. (Provided: Wayne Butcher)

“He was the friend, partner, son and brother you could always count on, and there is a profound absence in our lives now,” Ms Thomas said.

Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher said he knows some of the QBuild workers killed in the accident.

“It sends shockwaves through the community when we have big tragedies like this,” Cr Butcher said at the time.

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