An open oil filler pipe led ultimately to the fatal crash of a Cessna T210N in Inverell, according to an ATSB report released today.
VH-ZFW crashed off the end of runway 16 at Inverell, NSW, on 4 July 2014 after the pilot conducted a forced landing when oil obscured the windscreen. All three people on board were injured with one of the passengers later dying, and the aircraft was destroyed by post-impact fire.
"In response to oil on the windscreen, the pilot initially rejected the take-off, but deemed the remaining runway insufficient to land safely and commenced a go-around," the ATSB report found.
"During the go-around, the engine did not respond as expected, resulting in a forced landing off the airport."
On inspecting the wreckage, the ATSB concluded that the aircraft took off without the oil filler cap in place.
"After placing the engine in an upright position, the oil filler cap was found detached from the oil filler tube, but hanging by its chain. There was evidence of oil around the filler tube and on the ground.
"The oil filler cap was not secured, which resulted in oil being expelled onto the windscreen and temporarily obscuring the pilot's visibility during a critical phase of flight."
The ATSB was unable to determine why the engine did not respond when the pilot initiated the go-around, nor why the aircraft took longer in the take-off roll than normal.
The full report is on the ATSB website.