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The 2009 Pel-Air Westwind ditching or Norfolk Island ditching was an aircraft accident on 18 November 2009 near Norfolk Island, Australia. A Westwind II jet operated by Pel-Air was conducting an air ambulance flight for CareFlight International when it was forced to ditch after being unable to land in bad weather and not having sufficient fuel to divert to an alternate destination.
Flight details On 18 November 2009, an IAI 1124A Westwind II, conducted an air ambulance flight from Apia, Samoa to Melbourne, Australia on behalf of CareFlight. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Norfolk Island to refuel, but weather conditions there deteriorated while it was en-route. The aircraft did not carry enough fuel to divert to an alternate destination.[1] After not being able to make visual observation of the runway after four instrument approaches,[1] the crew ditched the aircraft in open sea West of Norfolk Island in darkness and bad weather.[1] All six occupants were rescued by local fishermen after 90 minutes in the water.[2][3] Controversy and investigation The Australian media reports that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority are in disagreement over why the aircraft was not carrying sufficient fuel to divert to an alternate destination, however the ATSB report states that "At Apia, the pilot in command submitted a flight plan by telephone to Airservices Australia. At that time, the forecast weather conditions at Norfolk Island for the arrival did not require the carriage of additional fuel for holding, or the nomination of an alternate airport". The ATSB report further states that the main tanks of the aircraft were full "which would provide sufficient fuel and reserves for the flight".[4] The press has also reported that the pilot has been suspended pending the outcome of an official investigation.[5] The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is investigating the flight planning, fuel planning and management, and decision making that contributed towards the accident.[5] References External links
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