Experts call on ATSB to investigate all fatal light aircraft crashes

Aviation industry experts are calling for further investigations into recreational plane crashes following a series of fatal crashes in Australia last year.

Twenty-seven people died in 20 light aircraft crashes in 2024, including people flying in homemade planes, crop dusters and helicopters.

Lorraine MacGillivray, an aviation consultant and training officer, said that was 27 too many.

“We need answers and we must not lose any more young lives like this,” she said.

Ms MacGillivray wanted to see more investigations into air accidents and less red tape for pilot training.

A woman about to board a recreational plane parked in a hangar. — Lorraine MacGillivray says the recreational aviation industry must do something to reduce fatal accidents. (ABC Gippsland: William Howard)

Data from the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) shows aviation authorities investigated only 14 of the fatal accidents in 2024.

The other six fatal accidents, involving light aircraft such as paragliders, amateur-built kit planes and helicopters, were not investigated by aviation authorities.

Ms MacGillivray said there was confusion over which accidents were being investigated and why.

His concerns were heightened after five people died in a series of crashes in regional Victoria between September and November last year.

“We can’t get any answers as to why they’re not investigating (some accidents), otherwise they’ll report to the media that it’s not within their jurisdiction,” Ms MacGillivray said.

The ATSB said it could investigate around 70 air, sea and rail incidents a year, but was informed of more than 8,000 incidents each year.

Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said large passenger carriers had priority when it came to determining what was investigated.

“We just don’t have the capacity to do all of these types of investigations,” he said.

He added that while the ATSB could not investigate every accident, it offered “technical expertise and assistance” through external investigations, such as during a coronial inquest.

Pilot training issues

There are two main bodies for pilot registration in Australia: the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) for general and commercial aviators and Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) for recreational travelers.

Paragliders and hang gliders can be registered with the Australian Sport Aviation Federation, while gliders are registered with the Australian Gliding Federation.

Ms MacGillivray said it had become harder and more expensive for pilots to undergo training, potentially leading to inexperienced people taking the controls.

However, she said more regulations would not solve this problem and called on CASA and RAAus to form closer links with flight operators and maintenance engineers.

RAAus president Michael Monck said the current pilot training program was tailored to the complexity of the aircraft.

He said pilots could progress through training modules to fly more difficult planes.

“We think the training is correct,” Mr Monck said.

“We are constantly reviewing this to make sure it is correct and we are working closely with CASA to ensure our program meets the requirements to give them confidence that pilots are safe.

“The biggest challenge for us is paperwork and administration. We believe we can simplify this without compromising safety.”

A man in a blue checkered shirt and a beard smiles at the camera — Michael Monck wants all air incidents to be investigated. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Mr Monck said it was a common myth that recreational pilots did not have the same skills as general aviators with a CASA license.

“We need to give people the freedom to engage in these activities,” he said.

RAAus also wanted the ATSB to investigate all aviation accidents.

Training saved a pilot’s life

Pilot Keith Link from Cohuna, regional Victoria, survived a plane crash after the engine of his commercially built Light Piper failed mid-flight near Bendigo in 2020.

He said his pilot training helped save his life, but more improvement was needed in the industry.

A man with white hair and a checkered shirt sits in the pilot's seat — Pilot Keith Link survived a light aircraft crash in 2020. (ABC News: Tyrone Dalton)

Mr Link said he wanted approved aircraft maintenance engineers to approve all aircraft every 100 flight hours or every 12 months.

“When I see a plane that has a parachute attached to it, I kind of think that’s a substitute for being a good pilot,” he said.

“I look at some of these planes and shake my head: they worry me.”

A plane crash scene with a plane resting upside down in a park with police writing down details of fire crews watching — The scene of Keith Link’s light plane crash in 2020. (Provided: Keith Link)

Coffs Harbor pilot Jim Auld died on December 29 when his light plane crashed near Yamba in northern New South Wales.

RAAus has asked the ATSB to investigate the accident.

Situational awareness

According to ATSB data, the number of aircraft fatalities fell to 27 last year after two consecutive years of recording 33 fatalities.

Mr Mitchell said the risk of fatalities was higher around Australia’s 2,300 non-towered airfields, but pilot situational awareness was key to improving safety.

“While every situation is (different), it is the responsibility of pilots to understand the airspace they are in and what the associated risks are, particularly airspace that is more congested,” Mr Mitchell said.

A man in a park looking towards the sky — Angus Mitchell says fatal plane crashes remain relatively low, but urges pilots to fly safely. (ABC Gold Coast: Steve Keen)

Ms MacGillivray said she just wanted the industry to stay relevant.

“We need to evolve with technology, we need to understand how our industry is changing,” she said.

“Because if we don’t, we’re going to see more and more of these unnecessary accidents.”