What happened
The incident occurred during the initial climb phase, approximately two minutes after departure from Hobart-Camberg Airport. The aircraft lost control while ascending, pitching its nose downward before impacting the water in the Derwent estuary near Seven Mile Beach. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. Search and recovery efforts confirmed that there were no survivors among the 25 occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the event concluded that the precise mechanical or operational cause could not be established with absolute certainty. However, evidence suggests that the pilot may have inadvertently engaged the autopilot system instead of activating the fuel crossfeed system. This error was followed by a forward movement on the control column, leading to the aircraft's descent into the sea. Additionally, the assessment noted that the pilot's performance capabilities were likely diminished at the time of the accident due to diabetes and the influence of insulin, which was identified as a potential contributory factor.