Summary
On 16 August, 1973 a Piper PA30/160 aircraft, registered VH-MEM, crashed into the
southern slopes of Mount Neville whilst on a private travel flight from Branxton, New South Wales, to
Archerfield, Queensland. The four occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Examination of the wreckage failed to reveal any evidence of pre-impact structural failure,
malfunction of systems, or any mechanical evidence which might have contributed to the accident.
At the moment of impact the aircraft was in a climb and the engines were heard at high power immediately
prior to impact. The height of the last sighting, the distance travelled and the impact height are in general
agreement with the aircraft's normal climb capability. It is apparent, therefore, that the pilot did not
appreciate the very dangerous relationship between the aircraft's climb capability and the rising terrain
ahead.
