WATCH: The sequence of events leading up to a mid-air collision at The Oaks on October 26, 2024, released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Video by ATSB
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00:00The following video contains some accident scene imagery which may upset some viewers.
00:04Viewer discretion is advised.
00:06The ATSB has released a preliminary report into the mid-air collision between two light
00:10aircraft which occurred near the Oakes Aerodrome southwest of Sydney.
00:14On the morning of the 26th of October 2024, a commercial pilot-licensed flight test was
00:19being conducted in a Cessna 182, registered Alpha Papa November, departing from Shell
00:23Harbour Airport, a non-towered aerodrome near Wollongong, NSW.
00:27On board were a pilot under examination and a CASA-approved flight test examiner.
00:32On the same morning, a private flight was being conducted in a Jabiru UL450, registered
00:37194079, departing from the Oakes, a non-towered aerodrome near Camden in Sydney, NSW, to meet
00:42with two other pilots who were also flying to Cessnock from the Oakes.
00:47The Cessna took off from Shell Harbour shortly after 10.30am, crossing the coastline near
00:51Wollongong Beach and then followed the coast north towards Sydney.
00:55As the Cessna approached Macquarie Lighthouse, near the entrance to Sydney Harbour, flight
00:58data indicated the aircraft conducted a large S-manoeuvre, consistent with an aerial photography
01:03task planned prior to the flight.
01:05The flight then continued to a beam-long reef, before tracking inland, consistent with a
01:09diversion from the planned route.
01:12The Cessna then continued tracking in a south-westerly direction towards Camden Airport, a towered
01:16aerodrome where the flight conducted circuits.
01:20At about this time, the Jabiru had not long taken off nearby at the Oakes Aerodrome, heading
01:24north towards Cessnock Airport.
01:26However, shortly after take-off, they decided to turn back after a report of turbulence.
01:31On return, the Jabiru made a 7 nautical mile inbound call on the Oakes radio frequency,
01:35and a short time later crossed directly overhead the aerodrome in preparation for a landing
01:39on runway 18L.
01:41On-board video and ADS-B data from the Jabiru show the aircraft flew along the runway at
01:45a height of about 100 feet before conducting a go-round.
01:49At about this time, the Cessna departed the Camden Airport control zone on a westerly
01:53heading.
01:54On the go-round, the Jabiru made a right turn onto downwind for runway 18L.
01:59Tracking data showed the Cessna make a level left turn onto a southerly heading while starting
02:02a straight, steady climb.
02:05On-board video showed the Jabiru pilot looking outside and transmitting over the flight radio
02:09on the Oakes frequency.
02:11At this time, the Cessna and Jabiru were on relatively constant flight path trajectories.
02:15The on-board video showed neither aircraft make avoiding action.
02:19Subsequently, the left wing of the Jabiru collided with the left wing strut of the Cessna
02:23while on near reciprocal headings.
02:26Following the collision, the left wings of both aircraft separated.
02:29Closed-circuit television from a nearby resident showed both aircraft descend steeply and were
02:33destroyed in the subsequent collision with terrain.
02:36Sadly, all three pilots were fatally injured.
02:39The ADS-B's investigation is continuing and will include examination of aircraft components
02:44and other items recovered from the accident site, further analysis of video recordings
02:48and radio transmissions, analysis of procedures at non-controlled aerodromes and further review
02:53of communication, electronic conspicuity and surveillance equipment.