Loss of contact with freight aircraft near Gayndah

1 fatality • Nagoorin, Australia • Flight

A night freight flight operating between Brisbane and Rockhampton disappeared in mountainous terrain, resulting in the loss of the aircraft and crew.

What happened

A night cargo operation scheduled to fly from Brisbane to Rockhampton ended in a fatal accident involving VH-DIL, an unspecified aircraft type. The flight was part of a multi-leg logistics chain; prior to the incident, the pilot had traveled as a passenger to Caloundra before arriving in Brisbane. After a delay at Brisbane Airport while waiting for freight transshipment, the aircraft departed at 0301 hours.

At approximately 0400 hours, the pilot provided a position report indicating the aircraft was over Gayndah. Following instructions to switch to an alternative radio frequency at 0410 hours, all communication from the flight ceased. Search efforts eventually located the wreckage in rugged, mountainous terrain two days after the disappearance. The impact analysis showed the aircraft had struck the ground in a near vertical orientation.

Findings

An investigation into the wreckage found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunctions within the aircraft systems that would have contributed to the crash. However, records indicated that the pilot had experienced extreme fatigue due to insufficient sleep. Before the flight, the pilot had been awake for an extended period, having only slept for approximately one hour during a previous leg and a brief interval while waiting at the airport.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the loss of control remains undetermined, though the pilot was suffering from significant sleep deprivation prior to the flight.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1983-02-21 Cessna 402 accident near Nagoorin, Australia?

A night freight flight operating between Brisbane and Rockhampton disappeared in mountainous terrain, resulting in the loss of the aircraft and crew.

Were there any fatalities in the 1983-02-21 Cessna 402 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1983-02-21 involved a Cessna 402, registration VH-DIL, operated by Sunshine Coast Air Charter, at Nagoorin, Australia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The exact cause of the loss of control remains undetermined, though the pilot was suffering from significant sleep deprivation prior to the flight.

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