Triple-fatal plane crash 'likely' followed instructor's mid-air rule breach
A flight instructor killed along with two young pilots in a plane crash near the Murray Mouth had "likely" entered a spin for which the aircraft had not been approved, the ATSB finds.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has concluded its final investigation into a tragic light plane crash near Goolwa beach that claimed the lives of three individuals. The incident, which occurred on February 6, involved a single-engine Cessna 210N that spiraled into the water during a flight from Goolwa Airport.
The ATSB's report reveals that the instructor, Leo Howard, had a history of mid-air spinning violations that had never been reported to the aircraft's operator or the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). It is likely that Mr. Howard conducted a spin entry to allow the pilot to practice recovery techniques, despite the plane not being approved for intentional spins. The fully developed spin that ensued was likely beyond the plane's capabilities to recover from within the available height.
The instructor, who held a licence to deliver spin and aerobatics training, had a history of student complaints at another operator and was involved in a near-collision incident in 2022. Following the crash, the ATSB found evidence of at least six mid-air spins, including in 2023, 2024, and 2025. In one such incident, the instructor ignored a warning from another pilot regarding the unsuitability of the aircraft for spinning exercises.
The ATSB highlighted the need for strong measures to overcome the reluctance to report unsafe behavior among pilots and flying instructors. The investigation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing such issues to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
