Reims-Cessna F172-H, VH-EDZ, 3 km West of Quilpie QLD, 22 December 1984

The aircraft was parked, with controls locked and doors unlocked, by the owner who retained the ignition key. Later, another person entered the aircraft and operated a number of controls before experimenting with a car key in the ignition switch. The engine started and the aircraft took off from the position at which it was parked. The occupant attempted a landing but this was unsuccessful as full power was still selected. Some time later the engine stopped due to fuel exhaustion and the aircraft glided into scrub near the town. The occupant was later apprehended by local Police. The thief had received no pilot training and was not capable of adequately controlling the aircraft.