Investigation number
198102582
Occurrence date
Location
10 km North of Healesville
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Collision with terrain
Occurrence category
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal

The pilot and passengers were overseas visitors taking part in an aerial safari. The flight apparently proceeded normally until a series of garbled radio transmissions were recorded from the aircraft, which then failed to reply to further calls. Despite an intensive search, the wreckage of the aircraft was not found for 2 months. It was evident that the aircraft had collided with trees at high speed while in a steep descending attitude. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact fault that could have contributed to the accident. A post analysis of the prevailing weather conditions indicated that areas of rain showers and low cloud existed over the higher terrain in the region. It is probable that the pilot lost control of the aircraft after inadvertently entering cloud.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-32
Registration
VH-CGL
Operation type
Private
Departure point
Canberra ACT
Departure time
1510
Destination
Moorabbin VIC
Damage
Destroyed