What happened
Operating as a scheduled freight service, the Westwind aircraft, registration VH-AJS, was performing an IFR flight from Darwin to Sydney via several intermediate stops. After departing Tindal, the flight proceeded toward Alice Springs. At approximately 11:25 PM, the aircraft was cruising at Flight Level 330. During the descent phase, the pilot in command directed the co-pilot to program the navigation system for a locator/NDB approach to runway 12, specifically requesting an offset position for an 11-mile final.
As the aircraft approached Alice Springs, the crew began descending through various altitudes, including 16,000 feet, while performing transition altitude checks and setting local pressure. The pilot in command instructed the co-pilot to adjust the altitude alert selector at specific waypoints, including Simpson’s Gap and Temple Bar. After passing the Temple Bar locator, the pilot in command requested the landing gear be extended and the crew continued pre-landing procedures.
At approximately 7:54 PM, the co-pilot noted the aircraft was 300 feet above the minimum descent altitude, a fact confirmed by the pilot. Shortly thereafter, the co-pilot issued two urgent commands to pull up. Despite these efforts, the aircraft struck the summit of the Ilparpa Range at an altitude of roughly 2,250 feet while in a shallow climb. Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft flying much lower than typical traffic before an explosion occurred at the top of the range. The crash resulted in 0 survivors.
Findings
- The crew was executing a complex descent involving multiple altitude alert adjustments and navigation programming.
- The aircraft was in a shallow climb at the moment of impact with the terrain.