Aviation safety investigations & reports
Piper Aircraft Corp PA-28RT-201, VH-ESK, 42km NW Adelaide, SA on 4 September 1994
Investigation number:
199402476
199402476
Status: Completed

Summary
The aircraft was inbound to Adelaide from Ceduna and had been cleared by ATC to descend from 5000 feet to maintain 1000 feet AMSL. The aircraft was observed on radar to be passing 2600 feet on descent at about 46km north west Adelaide but shortly later the return had disappeared. A Distress Phase was initiated when communication could not be re-established with the aircraft. Another aircraft in the area reported a cloud base of about 600 feet with rain showers. Later interpretation of the radar tape shows the aircraft levelling at 1000 feet then commencing a steepening descending left turn until lost from the radar at about 300 feet.
General details
Date: | 04 September 1994 | Investigation status: | Completed | ||
Time: | 1836 CST | ||||
Location (show map): | 42km NW Adelaide | ||||
State: | South Australia | Occurrence type: | VFR into IMC | ||
Release date: | 23 February 1995 | Occurrence category: | Accident | ||
Report status: | Final | Highest injury level: | Fatal |
Aircraft details
Aircraft manufacturer | Piper Aircraft Corp | |
---|---|---|
Aircraft model | PA-28 | |
Aircraft registration | VH-ESK | |
Serial number | 28R-8118073 | |
Type of operation | Private | |
Damage to aircraft | Destroyed | |
Departure point | Ceduna, SA | |
Departure time | 1625 CST | |
Destination | Adelaide, SA |
Crew details
Role | Class of licence | Hours on type | Hours total |
---|---|---|---|
Pilot-in-Command | Private | 70.0 | 220 |
Injuries
Crew | Passenger | Ground | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fatal: | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Total: | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |