Shellharbour fatal plane crash findings released by ATSB

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found a fatal plane crash that killed three people south of Sydney was likely caused by an aircraft control moving abruptly during takeoff, but was not corrected.

The ATSB reviewed CCTV footage and images of the incident, but could not determine why the horizontal stabilator moved to full, or near-full, nose up deflection during takeoff and remained there for the short duration of the flight.

A Piper Lancer crashed shortly after takeoff killing the pilot and two passengers at Shellharbour on October 11 last year.

Pilot Andrew Connors, 55, his wife Julianne, 54, and their friend Colin McLaughlin were killed in the crash.

The aircraft was departing for Bathurst and travelled about 410m along runway26 at Shellharbour when it pitched up abruptly, yawed left and became airborne.

The ATSB reported the aircraft climbed away from the runway in a nose high attitude while skidding and rolling left, before it started to descend from about 50ft and crashed.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said CCTV and images of the flight showed the horizontal stabilator moved to a full or near full nose-up deflection as the takeoff roll occurred and remained there for the duration of the flight.

He could not determine why the stabilator was moved to the full or near full nose-up position.

“Despite our extensive efforts, there wasn’t sufficient evidence available to us to make findings as to what caused the sustained pitch up of the horizontal stabilator, well beyond the normal control inputs required for takeoff rotation and climbing flight,” Mr Mitchell said.

An investigation did not find any defects with the plane’s controls or systems, which seemed to be operating correctly.

There was also no evidence the control seat slid or the stabilator deflection resulted from an intentional or inadvertent action or medical episode of the pilot or passengers.

Mr Mitchell said the pilot could have been challenged by an unexpected pitch-up during take off.

“Pilots are not typically trained for an uncommanded pitch-up during takeoff scenario, which would present as an unexpected and challenging situation,” Mr Mitchell concluded.