What happened
On 7 November 2008, a Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain, registered VH-OPC, was conducting a private instrument flight from Moorabbin Airport to Port Macquarie, with a planned stop in Bathurst. The flight crew and passengers arrived at Bathurst Airport at approximately 1930. Following the arrival, the pilot refueled the aircraft with 355 liters of Avgas and spent time in the terminal.
Records show the engines were started at 2012, and the aircraft taxied toward the runway 35 holding point by 2016. During the wait at the holding point, the aircraft was reportedly running at high engine power. The pilot announced the intention to backtrack and enter runway 35 at 2020, and the aircraft was airborne by 2022:08. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft was airborne and requested departure instructions, but no further radio contact was established.
At roughly 2024, residents near Forest Grove, north of the airport, reported hearing a loud noise from a low-flying aircraft, followed by an explosion and a visible fire. One witness observed two bright, wobbling lights and noted that the engine noise sounded abnormally loud and was characterized by a grinding or rattling sound. The aircraft crashed near the settlement, suffering severe damage from the impact and subsequent fire. All four occupants were fatally injured.
Findings
- Witnesses reported hearing an abnormal grinding or rattling engine noise immediately preceding the crash.