Collision with terrain involving a Cessna 172M, VH-WTG, Dubbo Aerodrome, New South Wales, on 8 January 1998

The aircraft was on final approach to Dubbo aerodrome when it suddenly descended, collided with power lines and cartwheeled to the ground. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident but the solo student pilot managed to escape with minor injuries.

The pilot subsequently reported that he had the aircraft configured for a short field landing with full flap and 60 kts approach speed. At about 400 ft on mid final, a sudden wind gust lifted the nose and right wing to a high attitude. The pilot applied full power and opposite aileron but the aircraft failed to recover before colliding with the power lines.

It is likely that the high nose attitude resulted in the aircraft stalling at a height which was insufficient to effect a recovery.