New evidence reveals final flight of father and daughter

A preliminary Australian Transport Safety Bureau report has revealed engine-starting difficulties and evidence of low engine power before the fatal plane crash at Stockleigh on 7 September. 

Queensland dairy farmer and Barambah Organics founder Ian Campbell, 56, and his daughter Hannah, 23, died when their aircraft crashed, seven minutes after departing Archerfield Airport for St George.

The report, released on 3 November, details the aircraft’s descent over Logan, although investigators have not yet conclusively determined the cause of the crash.

The bureau’s report says records show 80L of fuel was added to the aircraft at 8.54am.

The Campbells arrived at Archerfield Airport at 9.40am and boarded at 10.21am.

CCTV footage showed several unsuccessful attempts to start the engine before both occupants climbed out and an engineer was called to help.

Safety bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said: “It was reported that an engineer, working nearby, then assisted to start the engine with a battery cart”.

The aircraft taxied towards the runway at 10.41am and took off at 10.58am.

Flight tracking data showed the plane initially climbed to about 1100 feet before beginning to descend, the report said.

“Flight data showed the aircraft initially climbed to about 1100 feet,” Mr Mitchell said.

“About four minutes into the flight it was recorded at 800 feet, before descending steadily over the next three minutes.”

By 11.02am, the aircraft was 15km from Archerfield, at a recorded altitude of 800 feet and travelling at 87 knots (161km/h).

Tracking data showed it turned right and continued descending.

At 11.05am, the plane crossed the Logan River at 600 feet and 75 knots (139km/h), then turned left.

Its final recorded position at 11.05.40am showed an altitude of 284 feet and groundspeed of 66 knots (122km/h).

The safety bureau reported witnesses saw the plane flying low, while home security recordings captured fluctuating engine revolutions.

The report said one resident heard a “spluttering” engine and saw the landing gear extend before the aircraft “dropped”.

Another witness said the plane appeared to have “nosedived”, although trees obstructed their view of the impact.

The aircraft then struck open farmland at Stockleigh, killing both occupants, before a post-impact fire destroyed the plane.

The safety bureau found the plane struck the ground steeply, left wing low and nose down, coming to rest near a power pole and roadside power line, with a wreckage trail extending about 15m.

The propeller separated on impact, with backward-bent blades and limited rotational damage indicating low engine power.

The landing gear was down and wing flaps fully retracted. No pre-impact defects were identified in the limited systems examinable after the fire.

Flight and engine instruments were too badly damaged to recover data, while the aircraft was not required to carry cockpit voice or flight data recorders, the report said.

A witness who spoke to Mr Campbell before departure recalled he appeared “fit and well”.

“The report details evidence gathered in the early phases of the ATSB’s investigation to be further analysed as the investigation progresses,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Investigators will also conduct a performance assessment of the flight tracking data, and review aircraft maintenance, pilot documentation and training records.”

The safety bureau will also review refuelling, audio recordings and post-mortem evidence.

“Should any critical safety issues be identified before then, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so timely safety action can be taken,” Mr Mitchell said.

A final report will be released following the investigation.

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