[Bernie P]

Seems to have been "'Disorientated' pilot crashed on mail run "...

A PILOT whose body was never recovered after his cargo plane crashed into the ocean off Sydney probably lost control because he was disorientated, a report has found.

The twin-engined Metroliner was on a mail run to Brisbane when it plunged into the ocean about 11.30pm (AEST) on April 8, 2008, with the loss of 43-year-old pilot John Hamilton.

A major search ensued, involving a Navy SeaHawk helicopter, private aircraft, NRMA CareFlight, Polair and water police.

"The pilot was presumed to be fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed," the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in its final report on the crash, released today.

"Air traffic control initiated search actions and search vessels later recovered a small amount of aircraft wreckage."

Investigators recovered the aircraft's on-board flight recorders from the ocean floor, but the report said the recorders had no information from the flight.

"It was highly likely that the pilot took off without alternating current electrical power supplied to the aircraft's primary flight instruments," the report said.

"It is most likely that the lack of a primary attitude reference during the night take-off led to pilot spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the aircraft."

The last contact with Mr Hamilton was when he reported a "slight technical fault".

"No other transmissions were heard from the pilot," the ATSB said.

It identified a "significant safety issue" with Fairchild Industries' training and checking of its pilots.

"The conduct of the flight single-pilot increased the risk of errors of omission, such as not turning on or noticing the failure of aircraft items and systems, or complying with directions," the report said.

SOURCE: News.com.au