June 30, 2023
An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found a birdstrike was responsible for a fatal cropduster crash just south of Chinchilla-Wondai Road in September 2022.
The incident occurred at Canaga, north-west of Jandowae.
The ATSB found that a large bird – an Australian Bustard – shattered the right perspex windshield of the Air Tractor AT-502B while the pilot was conducting a spray run parallel to a fence line, about 2.5m above the ground.
The body of the bird was later found inside the wreckage and severed bird wings were located about 310m north of the crash site which indicated the approximate location of the initial strike.
The investigation found the aircraft continued flying for about five seconds before crashing.
The ATSB found it was likely the aircraft struck the bird while travelling at about 116 knots (200 km/h).
The pilot, Tom Grey, 32, died at the scene.
- External link: ATSB Report
- Related article: Pilot Killed In Air Crash
