FINAL MOMENTS OF FATAL PLANE CRASH REVEALED
MYSTERY remains over the cause of a fatal Mordialloc plane crash that left an experienced pilot dead with aircraft investigators unable to pinpoint the mechanical failure.
Pilot and aircraft mechanic Anthony Liddell, 50, died when the single-engine Cessna 1725 crashed into Scarlet St in the Melbourne suburb, bringing down powerlines and bursting into flames on June 8.
“We’ve got engine failure,” Mr Liddell said in a mayday call broadcast to air traffic control minutes before the fiery crash.
Prior to takeoff that day the plane had undergone maintenance, the preliminary Australian Transport Safety Bureau report found.
“The ATSB’s on-site examination found that the damage to the propeller was consistent with it not producing power at the time of impact,” the bureau’s executive director Nat Nagy said.
“An examination of the engine also found that there was no evidence of any mechanical failure,” he said.
The report found Mr Liddell was killed when the plane crashed and the aircraft was destroyed by a “post-impact fuel-fed fire”.
The plane hit power lines before crashing into the road and a car.
Scarlet St residents praised the pilot’s ability in avoiding further tragedy on the densely populated suburban strip.
David Trotter, who lived metres from the crash site with his young family, hailed Mr Liddell as a “hero” for missing homes.
“That’s what they’re trained for,” Mr Trotter said. “His instinct would have kicked in.”
The ongoing investigation will probe the remaining plane and engine components, maintenance and fuel records and any engine sound recordings and electronic data available.
Mr Liddell’s experience will also be looked into.
The final report is expected to be released mid next year.