What happened
On 8 July 2005, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registered VH-OAO, departed Essendon Airport at 16:29 EST for a charter mission to Mount Hotham, Victoria. The flight was operated with the pilot and two passengers on board. Due to severe weather conditions near the intended destination, the pilot initially updated the flight plan to target Wangaratta instead.
Shortly after departure, the pilot reverted the destination back to Mount Hotham. At 16:48, a request was made via Flightwatch for the operator to notify Mount Hotham Airport of an expected arrival at approximately 17:19. During this communication, the airport manager, acting as a meteorological observer, advised that landing would be impossible given the current weather.
At 17:14, the pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft was positioned over Mount Hotham and requested a transition from VFR to IFR flight rules to perform an RNAV GNSS approach for Runway 29. At 17:25, the pilot broadcast a request for runway lights while on final approach. No subsequent radio contact was established.
Search efforts located the wreckage by helicopter on 11 July. The investigation revealed the aircraft had struck trees while in a level, slightly right-banked attitude. The impact occurred on a ridge approximately 200 feet below the Mount Hotham aerodrome elevation. The impact caused the aircraft to break into multiple segments, and a post-crash fire destroyed much of the cabin. All three occupants were fatally injured.
Findings
- The aircraft struck terrain during the final approach phase.
- The crash occurred amidst extreme weather conditions in the Mount Hotham area.