The ATSB investigation Preliminary Report into the accident in
which six lives were lost when a privately operated Piper Cheyenne
aircraft crashed near Benalla, Victoria, on 28 July 2004, found
that the aircraft was off course for a substantial period.
The aircraft departed Bankstown, NSW that morning, and travelled
via Jervis Bay. The pilot then contacted air traffic control
requesting a track from abeam Ulladulla to Benalla. The route flown
did not pass directly over any ground based navigation aids and the
pilot relied on the global positioning system (GPS) for navigation
and for the approach, through cloud, to Benalla.
Recorded radar data indicated that the aircraft's track was a
consistent 3.83 degrees left of the direct track from Jervis
Bay.
After an extensive search, the aircraft wreckage was located in
mountainous terrain, 34 km south-east of Benalla. The impact and an
intense post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft, including its
instruments and GPS navigation equipment. On-site examination found
that the aircraft had collided with trees when in a wings-level,
climbing attitude and with the landing gear and flaps extended for
a landing approach.
Examination of the aircraft's maintenance records has not
identified any mechanical or systems defect that might have
influenced the circumstances of the accident.
The investigation is examining a number of issues of possible
safety significance. The ATSB expects to release an Interim Factual
report by February 2005.
Copies of the Report Aviation Safety Investigation Report
200402797