Summary
The aircraft took off from Shay Gap under a very low overcast with the intention of proceeding to Nullagine som
85 miles to the south. The low cloud persisted throughout the route and the tops of hills in the area, at a
general level of about 750 feet above mean sea level, were enveloped in cloud and mist. Before taking off from
Shay Gap the pilot called the Flight Service Unit at Port Hedland by radio and requested the winds forecast for
the local area. Port Hedland did not respond but the aircraft calls were acknowledged by Derby Flight Service
Unit. The pilot advised Derby when the aircraft departed Shay Gap at 0637 hours WST and he again requested
the forecast winds for the area in which he was operating.
The wreckage of the aircraft was found by a searching aircraft at 0800 hours
on the following morning. The aircraft had struck the ground at a height of approximately 780 feet above sea
level near the crest of a ridge, apparently whilst in substantially level flight and under control. The accident
site was some 23 miles south of Shay Gap on the direct track to Nullagine. The aircraft had been on a
southerly heading and probably at normal cruising speed at the time of the initial impact with the ground.
