Were there any fatalities in the 2004-07-28 Piper PA-31 Cheyenne accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Significant factors: 1. The pilot was not aware that the aircraft had diverged from the intended track. 2. The route flown did not pass over any ground-based navigation aids. 3. The sector controller did not advise the pilot of the divergence from the cleared track. 4. The sector controller twice cancelled the route…

Collision During Instrument Approach: Piper PA31T Cheyenne VH-TNP

Q: What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-07-28 involved a Piper PA-31 Cheyenne, registration VH-TNP, operated by D & R Henderson, at Benalla, Australia.

On July 28, 2004, a Piper PA-31 Cheyenne (registration VH-TNP) operated by D & R Henderson was involved in an aviation accident near Benalla, Australia during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Significant factors: 1. The pilot was not aware that the aircraft had diverged from the intended track. 2. The route flown did not pass over any ground-based navigation aids. 3. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781200230Data API Editorial standards

On 28 July 2004, a Piper PA31T Cheyenne (VH-TNP) departed Bankstown for Benalla on an IFR flight. After commencing a GPS approach, the aircraft was found destroyed on a ridge southeast of Benalla. All six occupants were fatally injured.

Accident Overview

At 0906 Eastern Standard Time on 28 July 2004, a Piper Aircraft Corporation PA31T Cheyenne, registered VH-TNP, departed Bankstown, New South Wales on a private instrument flight rules (IFR) flight to Benalla, Victoria. The aircraft carried one pilot and five passengers.

Flight and Approach

Instrument meteorological conditions at Benalla required an instrument approach. The pilot reported initiating a Global Positioning System (GPS) non-precision approach (NPA) to Benalla.

Search and Wreckage

When the pilot did not report landing as expected, a search began. Later that afternoon, a search helicopter crew located the burning wreckage on the eastern slope of a tree-covered ridge, approximately 34 km southeast of Benalla. All six occupants sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire.

Probable Cause Findings

The official investigation identified the following significant factors:

The pilot was unaware that the aircraft had deviated from the intended track.
The route flown lacked overflight of any ground-based navigation aids.
The sector controller did not inform the pilot of the deviation from the cleared track.
The sector controller cancelled route adherence monitoring alerts twice without confirming the pilot's tracking intentions.
Cloud cover prevented the pilot from using external visual cues to detect the deviation.
The pilot began the approach at an incorrect location.
The aircraft's radio altimeter did not provide adequate protection against terrain collision.
The aircraft was not fitted with a terrain awareness warning system (TAWS).

Controlled flight into terrain

2004-07-28: Piper PA-31 Cheyenne (VH-TNP) — D & R Henderson — Benalla, Australia