Touch-and-Go into rising terrain • ATSB final report/video • VH-OIS Nov. 2020

[Garfly]

 

 

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2020/aair/ao-2020-059

 

 

 

 

[Methusala]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-02-23/man-hospitalised-after-small-plane-crashes-into-tree-in-nsw/10843668

 

This accident occurred on Currandooley airstrip in very similar conditions. Moderate to strong easterly causing lee-side sink as he tried to climb over a ridge following touch and go. Very lucky pilot to walk away unscathed.

[Garfly]

Here is the revised CASA AC referred to in video and report:

 

 

advisory-circular-91-02-guidelines-for-aeroplanes-with-mtow-not-exceeding-5700-kg-suitable-places-to-take-off-and-land_0.pdf

 

 

 

COVER IMAGE:

[facthunter]

A climbing orbit over the aerodrome might have been the deal there. Nev

[Garfly]

 

I think this section of the report offers some useful clues - and lessons:

 

"Information about Coombing Park ALA was available in the OzRunways application. This application was installed on the flight instructor’s mobile phone and was in use during the flight. At the time of the accident, the application had an additional ‘remarks’ section for Coombing Park that included:

 

Bird and animal hazard exist.

Rising terrain east of field.

 

No other procedures were included in this guide, nor were they required by any regulations. However, following the accident on 12 November 2020, additional information about Coombing Park ALA was included in the OzRunways application. The ‘remarks’ section was updated to include:

 

Rising terrain to East, crosswind departures from [runway] 07 only Terrain at 3,953 within 3NM of field.

No go around on [runway] 07 Power lines at end of [runway] 25

 

Additionally, ‘procedures’ were added to the OzRunways application in the same update that included:

 

RH circuits on runway 07 Crosswind departures from [runway] 07 Up wind departures from [runway] 07 prohibited

Simulated engine failures prohibited Engine failure on [runway] 07: make RH turn and glide to creek flat

 

Coombing Park ALA was not included in the Enroute Supplement Australia (ERSA)."

[walrus]

Section 10 refers, but section 11 is wanting.

 

There is one manouvre that should be absolutely prohibited: that is a “touch and go” on a short strip intended for STOL training.

 

‘It is axiomatic that if it’s a real short strip with obstacles at each end then when you “practice” STOL landing techniques then there is no room for error once you are committed. Think about it; to be successful you cannot do a touch and go because technically that requires at least the full length of the strip and then some.

 

A failed touch and go almost involved me in a crash but for the extreme actions of the demonstrating instructor..

 

‘’In my opinion, either practice STOL techniques with a touch and go on a looong strip with no obstacles. If you are practicing for real on a short strip, make a commit height decision and once committed, land, do a full stop , backtrack and takeoff. I assume the instructor wrote our incident up but no action was taken by anyone.

 

‘’The technique of using touch and go for teaching STOL or precautionary landings on “real” short strips is akin to testing your cars brakes by charging at speed at a concrete wall to see if your judgement and brakes are sufficiently capable. If they are lacking and you are not killed, you get to buy a new car.

 

 

‘’Precautionary or STOL touch and go is in the same class as practicing engine failure on multi engine aircraft. 

 

Edited May 14, 2023 by walrus