• The burnt wreckage of C182 VH-AUT after the aircraft collided with the ground. (ATSB)
    The burnt wreckage of C182 VH-AUT after the aircraft collided with the ground. (ATSB)
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The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its investigation report into the fatal crash of a Cessna 182 at Hamilton in Victoria.

The pilot of VH-AUT was conducting night circuits on 23 September 2013 as part of an airline cadetship when the aircraft crashed after executing a go-around.

"The ATSB found that following an aborted landing during circuit training in dark night conditions, the solo student pilot lost control of the aircraft, resulting in a collision with terrain," the investigation report states. "There was insufficient evidence to determine the reason for the loss of control.

"The student pilot’s post-mortem examination identified a cardiac condition capable of causing incapacitation and their medical history included another condition that, if having effect at the time, had the potential to have contributed to the development of the accident. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) was unaware of either condition."

In addition, the ATSB found the C182's flaps were fully extended at impact, which was not consistent with either the operator’s or manufacturer’s procedures for a go-around. However, the investigators were able to determine how or if the flaps contributed to the crash.

Other factors considered were the pilot's past history of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the potential for spatial disorientation.

The full report is on the ATSB website.

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