Cessna 310R, VH-UQR, 20 km South of Busselton WA, 30 October 1988

198800141

Summary

An unidentified aircraft was heard to depart Kalgoorlie at approximately 0430 hours, and VH-UQR was subsequently reported to have been stolen. Some four hours later the aircraft was sighted, flying at low level, by a number of witnesses in the Margaret River area. The engines were reported to be not operating normally. The aicraft then disappeared from sight behind trees and was heard to crash. The wreckage was located in a heavily wooded area. An inspection of the site indicated that the aircraft had collided with the ground following a high speed descent at an angle in excess of 30 degrees. Neither engine was producing power at the time of impact. The investigation indicated that the fuel supply had been exhausted at the time of the accident. Although the aircraft was almost totally destroyed there was no evidence that aircraft components or systems contributed to the accident. Neither pilot was qualified to fly, or had any known flying experience, on the Cessna 310 or any other multi-engine aircraft type. The factors leading to the theft of the aircraft were not established.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198800141
Occurrence date 30/10/1988
Location 20 km South of Busselton
Report release date 16/06/1989
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company
Model 310
Registration VH-UQR
Serial number 310R0886
Operation type Private
Departure point Kalgoorlie WA
Destination Not Known
Damage Destroyed