Summary
The crew of the aircraft comprised an Instructor, who was employed by the operator, acting as pilot-in-command
in the right front seat and a private pilot, who was undergoing instruction on the aircraft for type
endorsement, in the left front or normal pilot seat. The flight was also for the purpose of the private pilot
visiting his father's property near Ardlethan on personal business. The third occupant was a student pilot who
had not yet begun his flying training and had been invited on the flight as an observer. After arriving over its
destination, where a strong south westerly wind of up to 20 knots was evident, the aircraft circled the airstrip
and then flew across the homestead in a north easterly direction at a low height. As it approached a low ridge
which crossed the flight path at right angles the aircraft began to climb at a progressively steepening angle until
at a height of approximately 250 feet above the ground and at an obviously diminished airspeed it began a steeply
banked turn to the left. At this point the aircraft nosed down and, at an angle of descent of about 50 degrees,
dived into the trees near the base of the western face of the ridge.
