What happened
On the night of 11 June 1993, a Piper PA-3im-350, registration VH-NDU, was operating a scheduled passenger flight from Sydney to Cootamundra, with a planned stop in Young. The flight, operated by a commercial carrier, was being flown under IFR procedures by a two-pilot crew. During the flight, the aircraft encountered heavy rain and cloud cover.
As the aircraft approached Young, the pilot performed several maneuvers in the circuit area. Radar data indicated the aircraft had deviated from its intended track earlier in the flight. Witnesses at the aerodrome observed the aircraft passing low over the field from the east, and later passing in the opposite direction. Notably, the aerodrome lighting had not been activated by the pilot upon arrival.
While navigating the circuit, the aircraft was observed performing multiple turns, including transitions between downwind legs for runway 01 and runway 19. A witness noted that VH-NDU appeared to be flying at a significantly lower altitude than another nearby aircraft, a Cessna 310 with registration VH-XMA. Shortly after the aircraft entered a base leg, it disappeared from view, followed immediately by a visible fireball.
Emergency services were notified at 1918. The wreckage was located approximately 2.2 km south-southeast of the Young aerodrome in a remote, heavily wooded area. Rescuers reached the site at 1952 and located one survivor. Despite being resuscitated and transported to a hospital, the single fatality succumbed to critical injuries the following morning.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in night conditions with heavy rain and cloud.
- The pilot performed multiple circuit maneuvers, including switching between different runway approaches.
- The aerodrome lighting was not illuminated during the initial passes of the aircraft.