On 7 November 2012, at about 1000 Eastern Standard Time a Cessna 172N registered VH-JGR (JGR) departed Archerfield Airport, Queensland on a training flight. The purpose of the flight was to conduct solo pre-test revision, prior to the pilot performing the Private Pilot Licence (PPL) flight test. The aircraft was booked for 2 hours. During the flight, the aircraft impacted terrain and was substantially damaged. The pilot was the only person on board and suffered severe injuries as a result of the accident and was airlifted to hospital.
The aircraft activated air switch indicated that the aircraft was airborne for approximately 45 minutes prior to the accident, placing the time of the accident about 3 hours prior to the aircraft being located.
This accident highlights the importance of lodging a Search and Rescue Time (SARTIME), Flight Plan or Flight Note with a responsible person, to eliminate any major delays in commencing a search. Failure to do this means that you are relying on being able to get an emergency call out, using your Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to alert the Rescue Coordination Centre Australia (RCC) or relying on someone noticing that you have gone missing.