On 20 December 2010, the owner/pilot of a Pacific
Aerospace Corporation FU-24-954 Fletcher aircraft, registered
VH-FNM, was conducting aerial spreading of urea fertilizer at
Wynella Station; a property 40 km south-south-west of Dirranbandi,
Queensland. At about 1650 Eastern Standard Time, the pilot was
returning to the landing strip after the completion of an
application run. The aircraft impacted the terrain, and the pilot
was fatally injured.
Examination of the accident site indicated that the
aircraft's engine was delivering power at the time of impact.
Wreckage examination did not reveal evidence of any defect or
mechanical failure that would have contributed to the event.
Although the post-mortem report on the pilot noted that he had
significant coronary atherosclerosis, there was insufficient
information available to determine whether pilot incapacitation was
involved in the accident.
The investigation did not identify any organisational
or systemic issues that might adversely affect the future safety of
aviation operations.
