Emergency landing probe centres on engine failure

Air safety experts are investigating why both engines on an aircraft carrying nine passengers failed and forced an emergency landing on Great Northern Highway on Friday afternoon, about 39km east of Broome International Airport.

The Skippers Aviation Cessna Conquest left Halls Creek about 3pm and the pilot later made a mayday call to the tower at BIA, reporting engine problems.

The plane touched down safely on the national highway and police later closed the road from Sandfire to Roebuck Plains Roadhouse.

No one was injured and there was no reported damage to the aircraft.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau today confirmed it was investigating a dual engine failure and forced landing of the Cessna 441, VH-LBY.

An ATSB spokesman said during descent into Broome airport, the right then left engines began to surge.

“The pilot shut down the right engine and made a mayday call. Shortly after, the left engine failed and the pilot conducted a forced landing on the Great Northern Highway,” the spokesman said.

As part of the investigation, the ATSB will interview the pilot and obtain engineering information.

Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify those affected and seek safety action to address the issue.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority confirmed it was also in the process of gathering detailed information.

“We will certainly be having a good in depth look at why it happened and any actions that may need to be taken to prevent this type of incident happening again,” CASA said.

Click here for a gallery of images from the emergency landing.