Cracked wing caused NSW fire plane crash

A plane crash that killed an experienced water-bombing pilot on the NSW South Coast happened when the left wing broke off due to fatigue cracking, an investigation has found.

David Black, 43, died when his fixed-wing Dromader aircraft crashed in Budawang National Park on October 24, 2013 while fighting a bushfire.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Monday released its investigation report on the crash involving the PZL-Mielec M-18A aircraft near Ulladulla.

It said the crack in the left wing originated at small corrosion pits in the attachment fitting.

The corrosion pits are supposed to be removed because they accelerate fatigue cracks, but the report found they had not been completely removed during maintenance.

It said the wing fittings had been inspected using the eddy current inspection method, which was not approved and might not have been effective in finding the crack.

The report also said the plane was flown hard and fast during its life, which probably accelerated the initiation and growth of the fatigue crack.