Summary
Arrangements had been made to drop two parachutists from the aircraft over a red clay pan and for the
aircraft to land so that the parachutists could be returned to Kalgoorlle. The clay pan was inspected
by one of the parachutists some two weeks previously but he had no particular qualifications to assess
the suitability of the proposed landing area. He informed the pilot that the area was suitable and, subject
to an aerial inspection, the pilot accepted this advice. Since the ground inspection, about forty points of
rain had fallen in the area.
When the parachutists made their descent and landed on the clay pan they sank through the salt crust
at a depth of 9 Inches into the boggy sub-surface. They then moved to the edge of the clay pan and the
pilot made a low fly past to Inspect the surface but the efforts of the parachutists to warn him were
misunderstood. The aircraft approached to land and touched down several hundred yards from the
parachutists. When the nosewheel contacted the surface It broke through the crust and ploughed a furrow
through the mud. The aircraft then slowly overturned and came to rest Inverted.
