Investigation number
198701460
Occurrence date
Location
10 km W Beulah
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Serious

The pilot reported that he had been flying over his farm for about 30 minutes inspecting his crops and livestock. When crossing a road, whilst proceeding to another section of the farm at a altitude of about 30 feet, he remembered the location of a powerline, which was then only 50 metres ahead. He banked the aircraft left to avoid the line, but the left wing hit the top of a tree. Control was lost and the aircraft impacted the ground, coming to rest inverted. The pilot stated that during the flight he had been preoccupied thinking about the several tasks he hoped to complete that day. Consequently he was not giving his full attention to the operation of the aircraft. During the impact sequence the insert plug in the fuel tank became dislodged. This allowed fuel to spill from the tank and drench the pilot.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Thruster Aircraft (Australia) Pty Ltd
Model
Gemini
Registration
25-0030
Serial number
N/K
Operation type
Sports Aviation
Departure point
10 km W Beulah VIC
Departure time
800
Destination
10 km W Beulah VIC
Damage
Destroyed