An investigation into a plane crash at a popular Perth beach with a mother and child onboard has found the pilot failed to avoid “fuel starvation”.
Pilot Michelle Yeates and her 15-year-old son were onboard the Piper PA-28 light aircraft when it was forced to ditch in waters off Leighton Beach on April 20.
The pair had departed Carnarvon, 900km north of Perth, with sufficient fuel for their journey, but suddenly suffered engine power issues en route to Jandakot.
In a report, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found the pilot had failed to switch to a second fuel tank before carrying out emergency landing procedures.
“The pilot responded to power anomalies by carrying out some emergency procedures but did not select the other tank that contained usable fuel,” it stated.
“Consequently, engine power was not restored and the pilot carried out a forced landing/ditching into the ocean near a beach.”
The crash made headlines after the aircraft was captured on video hitting the waters off the popular beach in Perth’s southern suburbs.
Moments after losing power, the pilot found herself unable to maintain altitude and decided to turn into the wind, the report found.
The pilot had intended to ditch onto the adjacent beach where a number of people were located, but instead ditched into the water “as close to shore as possible”.
“As they were approaching the water, the pilot tried to hold the nose up as far as possible,” the report stated.
“A main wheel contacted the water and the aircraft skipped along the surface for a few seconds.
“Then the right wing dropped rapidly, consistent with a stall, and dug into the water, quickly stopping the aircraft.
“Water gushed up over the front of the aircraft and windscreen.
“The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft uninjured and swam to shore.”
The report found while the plane had enough fuel for its journey, the pilot had not carried out regular checks and had not kept a written log.
Prior to departing Geraldton, the pilot had drained a “significant amount of water” from both the left and right fuel tanks of the American-made plane.
The possibility of fuel contamination was ultimately ruled out by investigators, as was any potential mechanical faults resulting from the plane’s age.
According to the report, the engine had been in service for 28 years – more than twice the recommended time before an overhaul of 12 years.
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