Raytheon B200 accident near Melbourne, Au, February 20, 2017
On February 20, 2017 at about 9:59 pm local time, a Raytheon B200, registered VHZCR, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Melbourne. 5 people were killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 20, 2017 · about 9:59 pm local time
- Place
- Melbourne, Australia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 5 people were killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Raytheon B200
- Registration
- VHZCR · no longer on the register · serial BB-1544
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 20, 2017, at 2159 hours universal coordinated time (0859 hours Australian eastern daylight time on February 21, 2017), a Raytheon model B200 (King Air) airplane, Australian registration VH-ZCR, impacted a building and roadway shortly after takeoff from runway 17 (4,934 feet by 148 feet, asphalt) at Melbourne/Essendon Airport (YMEN), Victoria, Australia. A post-impact fire ensued. The pilot and four passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. The intended destination was the King Island Airport (YKII), Currie, Tasmania, Australia.The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau. This report is for informational purposes only and contains information released by or obtained from the government Australia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Australian Transport Safety Bureau PO Box 967 Civic Square ACT 2608 Tel: +61 2 6257 4150 Website: http://www.atsb.gov.au Email: atsbinfo@atsb.gov.au
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: YMEB Essendon at 9:58 pm
- Destination: YKII Currie
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.