Investigation number
197403096
Occurrence date
Location
Mud Islands, Port Phillip Bay
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Loss of control
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Serious

Attempts were made to obtain photographs of
VH-MJO with sharks in the background but these were unsuccessful. It was then decided that VH-KWN would
descend to 500 feet to photograph the school of sharks, while VH-MJO remained clear of the other aircraft.
The pilot of VH-KWN extended flap to 30 degrees and reduced speed from about 70 knots to 55-60
knots, using just sufficient engine power to maintain 500 feet altitude. Two left hand racecourse orbits were
flown around the sharks and, during the third orbit, while on a north-easterly heading, the pilot had a discussion
with the photographer regarding the positioning of the aircraft and then looked out to the right to check the
location of the other aircraft. As a further left turn was initiated the pilot looked at the aircraft instruments and
noticed that the altitude had decreased to 300 feet and that the airspeed was also low. The port wing dropped and
the stall warning was heard to operate. Despite the initial application of corrective aileron, and the subsequent
application of right rudder, forward stick and engine power, the aircraft lost height rapidly and struck the water
in a nose down, port wing low attitude.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
172
Registration
VH-KWN
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
Moorabbin
Departure time
1512
Destination
Moorabbin
Damage
Destroyed