Accident Overview
On 6 July 1989 at 0341 hours Eastern Standard Time, a Beechcraft 80 Queen Air aircraft, registered VH-XAE, collided with high voltage power lines. Following the collision, the aircraft descended rapidly and contacted the ground approximately three kilometres north-east of Tolmie. The aircraft was on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne and had been cruising at 8,000 feet.
Occupant and Damage
The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and received fatal injuries. There was no fire after the crash. The extent of damage to the aircraft is not specified beyond the collision and ground contact.
Eyewitness Accounts and Search
Individuals in the accident area reported hearing an aircraft flying very low over their houses. Subsequently, they observed a flash of light and heard the sound of the ground impact. A ground search was initiated, but due to falling snow and very poor visibility, the wreckage was not located until approximately 0745 hours, after daylight had broken.
Site Conditions
The elevation of the ground at the accident site was approximately 2,700 feet above sea level. The search was hampered by the adverse weather conditions, which included snowfall and low visibility.
Investigation and Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. No further contributing factors or causal links were established by the investigators.