Flight Details
The aircraft was operating a night freight flight from Brisbane to Gladstone and Rockhampton. The pilot departed Rockhampton as a passenger in another company aircraft at about 2100 hours the night before the accident and flew to Caloundra. He then flew VH-DIL to Brisbane and submitted a flight plan for the return flight to Rockhampton, with an estimated time of departure of 0230 hours. Before departure, the pilot awaited the arrival of another aircraft for freight transhipment. Departure from Brisbane occurred at 0301 hours.
Final Communications
At 0400 hours, the pilot reported the aircraft's position over Gayndah and was instructed to call on another radio frequency at 0410 hours. No further transmissions were heard from the aircraft.
Wreckage Discovery
The wreckage was located two days later in mountainous terrain. The aircraft had impacted the ground in a near-vertical attitude. Subsequent investigation did not reveal any fault with the aircraft or its systems that could have contributed to the accident.
Pilot's Activities and Rest
The day before the accident, the pilot rose at about 0730 hours after spending the previous night and day at a friend's property near Rockhampton. He spent the day at leisure at the property before returning to Rockhampton in the afternoon. After dining at his parents' home, he proceeded to the airport for the flight to Caloundra. Before departing Brisbane to return to Rockhampton, the only sleep the pilot would have had was about an hour on the flight to Caloundra and possibly another short period at Brisbane Airport while waiting for his aircraft to be loaded.