What happened
On the evening of 15 October 1988, a pilot flew from his property, Kolane, to the Taroom aerodrome to inspect a newly installed pilot activated lighting (PAL) system. Following the inspection, the pilot attempted to perform night circuits and landings at an 850-metre landing strip located at 1000 feet above sea level. To facilitate a return landing, the pilot had arranged for two vehicles to illuminate the strip from his property.
During the flight, the aircraft was observed traveling in a north-easterly direction before initiating a left turn. During this descent, the aircraft struck the ground at a speed of roughly 125 knots. The initial impact occurred in a clearing near a group of trees. After sliding 91 metres, the left wing collided with a large tree and was severed from the airframe. The wreckage continued to slide for another 45 metres before coming to a halt and catching fire. The pilot was thrown from the aircraft while still secured to his seat but managed to move away from the flames before rescuers arrived. There were no fatalities reported, though the aircraft was destroyed.
Findings
The investigation noted that the pilot could not recall the moments leading up to the crash. While the aircraft appeared to be in normal working order and weather conditions were clear with a light northerly breeze, there was no moonlight available. The landing area used for the maneuver did not comply with the night operation standards outlined in the Visual Flight Guide. It was determined that the pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while attempting to execute visual circuits in the absence of a visible horizon.