Safety
ATSB Issues Engine Advisory after 2024 Caravan Accident
Uncommanded acceleration not widely trained for
ATSB 2024 Caravan overrun
© Google Earth with ATSB annotation|ATSB

Australia’s Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is urging operators of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-powered aircraft to update training for pilots to include uncommanded engine acceleration malfunctions after investigating a 2024 engine malfunction and subsequent runway overrun accident involving a Cessna 208B Caravan in Queensland. The ATSB concluded the probable cause was a malfunction of the engine’s fuel control unit. 

“Pilots of PT6A turbine single-engine aircraft are trained for ‘roll back to idle’ malfunctions, but not trained for uncommanded engine acceleration malfunctions,” said ATSB director Kerri Hughes. “There is limited awareness by pilots and operators of how to safely respond.”