An Australian Defence Force Inquiry has identified the cause of an incident which forced a Tamworth-based training plane to make an emergency landing near Gunnedah in June.
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The investigation found there was interference between a bolt in the rudder control system and the head of a floor pan fastener in the cockpit.
A Defence Force spokesperson said no other instances of interference were found during the inspection of the fleet.
The incident occurred on June 10 when a pilot and trainee instructor with BAE Systems were carrying out a training flight over the Breeza Plains.
The CT-4B aircraft malfunctioned mid-air, forcing the pair to issue a may-day call.
It sparked an emergency response from authorities, and eventually the aircraft landed in a paddock off the Pullaming Stock Route.
The pilot and instructor walked away unscathed and the RAAF launched an investigation.
Following the inquiry, BAE Systems have incorporated a change to the aircraft configuration to ensure adequate clearance, and has introduced an ongoing check of clearance as part of routine aircraft savings.
Meanwhile, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has reported on an incident where a pilot, on a private flight to Gold Coast and Archerfield, was diverted to Gunnedah on July 9.
The inquiry found the pilot, carrying three passengers, observed deteriorating weather conditions and low cloud south of Inverell.
After climbing above 5000 feet and facing a mass of cloud, the pilot contacted Brisbane Centre air traffic control and requested navigation assistance and weather information.
The pilot initially considered diverting to Moree and then Inverell, but was concerned about the cloud in the area and visibility.
The plane was then diverted and landed at Gunnedah where the pilot was able to remain in visual meteorological conditions for the duration of the flight.