Summary
The pilot obtained a meteorological forecast which indicated that conditions generally would be suitable for visual
flight, but that until 0900 hours there would be areas of drizzle and reduced visibility. He submitted a flight plan
which indicated that his route to Warrnambool would be via Sorrento and Colac. The flight proceeded normally to
1,500 feet or about 10 miles west of Torquay, where the aircraft encountered an area of low cloud and drizzle.
The pilot descended to remain clear of cloud and when the aircraft had reached the vicinity of the Wurdee Boluc Reservoir he was compelled to fly at an extremely low level to maintain visual contact with the ground. He circled
in this area, unable to proceed or to turn back because of the low cloud and reduced visibility in all directions.
While flying along the southern edge of the reservoir he observed a line of tall pine trees looming ahead and to
avoid them he made a left hand turn over the reservoir. During the turn the port wing tip contacted the surface
and the aircraft cartwheeled into the water. There were no witnesses to the accident and one of the four surviving
occupants swam a considerable distance to the shore for assistance whilst the other three surviving persons remained standing on the aircraft wreckage which had settled in some 10 feet of water. The fourth passenger had
released his seat belt during the flight and was apparently thrown from the aircraft on impact with the water.
