Summary
The day prior to the accident the pilot, who was inexperienced in remote area navigation, flew the aircraft
from Parafield to Ayers Rock where he and the passengers remained overnight. In the morning the aircraft
was flown to Curtln Springs and refuelled. The pilot was unable to obtain the area weather forecast because
of poor radio communication conditions. In clear weather he flew at 3000 feet and he established his position
over the Hermansburg Mission aerodrome, some 30 miles to port of the planned track. Still being unable to
obtain satisfactory two-way radio communication with Alice Springs he diverted to the south-east to avoid
controlled airspace with the Intention of requesting a clearance when he Intercepted the Adelaide to Alice
Springs road. Shortly afterwards he became disorientated and doubted his earlier navigational fix. Despite
substantial fuel reserves and without judicious consideration of other alternatives he made a hurried decision
to land on a road and ascertain his position. During the latter part of the approach the unsultabillty of the
selected area became apparent, but the pilot persisted with the landing. After touching down the aircraft
struck trees on the side of the road and finally came to rest off the right hand side of the road facing in the
opposite direction to the landing run.
