What happened
During a flight to King Island, the pilot of VH-CAY, an aircraft type not specified beyond its registration, encountered deteriorating weather conditions. Although the pilot's qualifications for night operations under Visual Meteorological Conditions required visibility of at least 5000 metres, the actual conditions involved heavy rain and visibility reduced to approximately 2000 metres. While an IFR-qualified pilot was originally intended to act as pilot in command, they were unavailable, leaving the flight to proceed under the current pilot's parameters.
As the aircraft approached the aerodrome, it encountered moderate to severe turbulence. The pilot reported observing a windsock that was nearly horizontal due to strong winds and indicated an intention to land on Runway 28. Witnesses noted the engine sounded unusually loud as the aircraft passed over the airfield, suggesting a low altitude. Shortly after, the aircraft was spotted flying at a very low height several kilometres south of the aerodrome during heavy rain. The aircraft subsequently struck treetops approximately 30 feet in height before crashing and being destroyed by a post-impact fire. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained two serious injuries.
Findings
Investigation into the wreckage was difficult due to the intensity of the fire, but no mechanical defects were identified. The aircraft appeared to be under control at the moment of impact with the trees. Meteorological analysis indicated the presence of significant turbulence, wind shear, and heavy rain. The pilot attempted an operation for which they lacked the necessary qualifications, flying into weather conditions that exceeded their legal requirements. It is also believed the pilot may have been at a lower altitude than intended due to a potential altimeter misreading or a lack of visual references in the poor visibility.