Collision with terrain - Beech Aircraft Corp 58, VH-HSZ, Geraldton, Western Australia, on 25 August 1992

The aircraft departed Denham for travel to Perth via a refuelling stop at Geraldton.

At about 0806 hours the aircraft crashed approximately 770 metres, bearing 347°M from the threshold of runway 21 at Geraldton, apparently out of control and with the stall warning audible throughout the final radio transmission.

Investigation Indicated that both engines had stopped prior to Impact due to fuel exhaustion. There were no Indications of fuel leaks, and an analysis of times flown by the aircraft preceding the crash revealed that the available fuel should have been exhausted at about the time the engines were reported to have stopped. Fuel was available at Denham but, for unknown reasons, was not utilised by the pilot.

The pilot did not lodge a flight plan with the Civil Aviation Authority nor was any evidence found in the wreckage to Indicate that the pilot had used a flight plan or fuel log enroute. No conclusive determination for the loss of control of the aircraft was reached, however, the proximity to the threshold of runway 21 and the configuration of the aircraft with the wheels down, suggests that the pilot may have been attempting to turn towards that runway for a glide approach and landing.

SIGNIFICANT FACTORS

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The aircraft departed Denham with Insufficient fuel for the flight to Geraldton.
2. The pilot was apparently unaware that the fuel state was Inadequate and did not refuel at Denham.
3. Both engines stopped due to fuel exhaustion.
4. Control of the aircraft was lost at a height which did not allow the pilot to recover.