Pilatus BN2A-20 accident near Hobart, Au, December 7, 2018
On December 7, 2018 at about 9:29 am local time, a Pilatus BN2A-20, registered VHOBL, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Hobart. It was flown under non-U.S. commercial rules. 1 person was 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
- December 7, 2018 · about 9:29 am local time
- Place
- Hobart, Australia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Pilatus BN2A-20
- Registration
- VHOBL · no longer on the register · serial 2035
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight · non-U.S. commercial rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 7, 2018, at 0929 Universal Time Coordinated, a Pilatus Britten-Norman Ltd, BN2A-20, VH-OBL was destroyed when it collided with terrain near the Hobart Aerodrome, Hobart, Australia. The pilot, who was the sole occupant was fatally injured. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Australia. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Australia. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Mr. Peta Nisbet Senior Transport Safety Investigator Australian Transport Safety Bureau 60 Northborne Avenue, Canberra, ACT 2601 P +61 2 6274 7004 M 0434 664 144 F +61 2 6274 6432
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Lycoming IO-540-K1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming IO-540-K1B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Cambridge
- Destination: Melaleuca
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.