![An investigation report into the fatal plane crash that claimed Trangie man David Black. Photo: SUPPLIED An investigation report into the fatal plane crash that claimed Trangie man David Black. Photo: SUPPLIED](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/storypad-9nQYdrBHQxDB6mMpJRZdp8/55b9a65a-98c1-45e5-827a-de4fb6953867.jpg/r0_0_1176_661_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
An investigation report into the fatal plane crash that claimed Trangie man David Black, was released on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The report, carried out by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), found the M18 Dromader's left wing disconnected from the plane mid-flight causing the plane to roll and resulting in the fatal accident.
The accident took place on October 24, 2013, when Mr Black was carrying out a firebombing mission west of Ulladulla during an aerial fire fighting mission.
"On approach to the target point, the left wing separated. The aircraft immediately rolled left and descended, impacting terrain, the aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured," the report reads.
The ATSB also reported the left wing separated because it had been weakened by a fatigue crack in the its lower attachment fitting.
"Data from a series of flights indicated that the manner in which the aircraft was flown during its life probably accelerated the initiation and growth of the fatigue crack," the report stated.
As a result of this tragic incident, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have revised "the airworthiness directive for inspection of the wing attachment fittings to ensure that they were inspected using the magnetic particle inspection method."
CASA also intend to make a number of changes to their systems and procedures to address the issues identified in the ATSB report.
The ATSB have also administered their own safety warnings.
"Separately, the ATSB reminded operators of M18 aircraft of the importance of the correct application of service life factors when operating at weights above the original maximum take-off weight," the report reads.
"In addition, PZL Mielec plans to release additional maintenance documentation clarifying the need for removal of the wings for inspection of the wing attachment fittings.
"Finally, at the request of the owner, the supplemental type certificate for operation of the modified M18 Dromader at take-off weighs up to 6600 kilograms has been suspended by CASA," the report concludes.
The message the ATSB has hoped to send is to ensure that maintenance objects are consistently met, and the ATSB reminds aircraft maintenance personnel of the importance of only using properly-approved maintenance instructions.