Accident Details
On 7 November 2008, a Piper Aircraft Corp. PA-31-350 Chieftain, registered VH-OPC, was being operated on a private flight under instrument flight rules (IFR) from Moorabbin Airport, Victoria, to Port Macquarie, New South Wales, via Bathurst. On board were the owner-pilot and three passengers.
Flight History
The aircraft departed Moorabbin at about 1725 Eastern Daylight-saving Time and arrived at Bathurst Airport at about 1930. The pilot added 355 liters of aviation gasoline from a self-service bowser. After spending time in the terminal, the engines were started at about 2012, 12 minutes after civil twilight. At 2016, the aircraft taxied to the holding point of runway 35, where it remained for about 3 minutes with reportedly high engine power. At 2020, the pilot broadcast that he was entering and backtracking runway 35, and at 2022:08, he broadcast departing runway 35. At 2023:30, the pilot transmitted to air traffic control that he was airborne and to standby for departure details. No further transmissions were recorded.
Witness Reports
At about 2024, residents of Forest Grove, north of Bathurst Airport, heard a sudden loud noise from an aircraft at low height, followed by an explosion and fire glow. A witness 550 m southwest of the accident site reported seeing two bright lights shining in a constant direction and "wobbling." Engine noise was described as getting very loud and abnormally "rattling" or "grinding" before the crash. At 2024:51, the first emergency call was received.
Investigation Findings
The aircraft was seriously damaged by impact forces and fire, and the four occupants were fatally injured. The investigation determined that the aircraft descended at a steep angle before impacting the ground at high speed, consistent with uncontrolled flight into terrain. An airworthiness issue was considered unlikely to be a contributing factor. The investigation was unable to establish why the aircraft collided with terrain, but pilot spatial disorientation or pilot incapacitation could not be discounted.