Overview
On a night flight to King Island, the pilot of VH-CAY operated under an IFR flight plan despite not holding the required minimum visibility for night VMC operations. The aircraft collided with trees and was destroyed by fire, seriously injuring both occupants.
Flight Details
The flight plan submitted by the pilot indicated IFR category. While taxiing, the pilot confirmed this to a querier. Shortly after departure, the pilot requested a weather report from an IFR pilot who had just landed at King Island, receiving information of a 2000-foot cloud base, heavy rain showers, and 2000 metres visibility. Runway 28 electric lighting was activated by the pilot. En route, weather was reported satisfactory, and the pilot could see lights ahead on the island.
Weather Conditions
The forecast for King Island included temporary moderate to heavy rain showers, six eighths cloud cover at 800 feet, visibility reduced to 3000 metres, and surface wind from 340 degrees at 20-30 knots. The pilot's qualifications required a minimum visibility of 5000 metres for night VMC operation. Another pilot qualified for IFR was planned as pilot-in-command but became unavailable. Upon crossing the coast, the aircraft encountered moderate to severe turbulence. The pilot reported arriving over the aerodrome at 1500 feet MSL, observing the windsock horizontal with direction fluctuating between north and west. He broadcast intention to land on Runway 28. Rain had been continuous for over an hour, sometimes very heavy, and was still raining at the time.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft was heard passing over the aerodrome with a very loud engine sound, suggesting low altitude. It was then seen flying at very low height approximately six kilometres south of the aerodrome, tracking north, in very heavy rain and strong wind. Soon after, a sound of impact and flash of light was heard. The aircraft struck treetops 30 feet high, then descended to the ground and was destroyed by fire. Neither pilot nor passenger had further recall of events leading to the accident.
Findings
Examination of the wreckage was severely hampered by fire damage but found no evidence of defects that might have contributed. The aircraft was evidently under control at tree impact. Post-analysis by the Bureau of Meteorology indicated possible strong updrafts/downdrafts, horizontal wind shear, turbulence, and visibility 2-3000 metres in rain. The evidence suggested the pilot may have been lower than believed when overflying the aerodrome, and with few external visual references, inadvertently descended into the ground.
Significant factors considered relevant: 1. The pilot attempted an operation for which he was not qualified. 2. Severe weather conditions with strong winds, turbulence, heavy rain, and poor visibility. 3. The pilot continued flight into adverse weather. 4. The pilot may have misread his altimeter and been lower than intended. 5. The pilot may have unintentionally descended the aircraft into the ground in poor visibility.