What happened
On 2 December 2005, a Piper PA-31-350 Chieftain, registered VH-PYN, began a private flight from Archerfield, Queensland, toward Griffith, New South Wales, under instrument flight rules. The flight crew included the pilot, an observer-pilot, and two passengers. After departing Archerfield, the aircraft proceeded toward Moree and Coonamble at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
During the flight, the pilot modified the flight plan, changing the destination to Swan Hill, Victoria, and requesting a route via Hillston, New South Wales. As the flight progressed, the pilot communicated several deviations from the planned route to air traffic control, citing the need to avoid weather. By 1337, the aircraft was approximately 20 nautical miles left of its intended track, and by 1348, this deviation had increased to 29 nautical miles. Following these reports, all radio contact with the aircraft ceased.
At approximately 1400, authorities were notified of an aircraft accident on a property located roughly 28 km north of Condobolin, New South Wales. Search efforts located extensively burned wreckage, which was later identified as VH-PYN, along with additional debris spread across a 4 km area. Radar data showed the aircraft had entered coverage near Condobolin at 1346 and was tracked until 1349, during which time it maintained 10,000 feet while changing direction from a southerly to a south-westerly heading. The aircraft's groundspeed was recorded between 200 and 220 knots. The four occupants of the aircraft were killed in the crash.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating significantly off-course, at one point deviating by 29 nautical miles from the planned track, due to weather avoidance maneuvers.
- Prior to the accident, the crew had been informed that weather conditions for their return trip were expected to be patchy.
- The final radar observations placed the aircraft near the edge of radar coverage, within 10 km of the primary wreckage site.