Summary
There is no record of any communication with the aircraft after it left Connewarre and it did not reach Wagga
Wagga. The disappearance of the aircraft was not reported until 31 May, 1971 after relatives of those on board
had become concerned that the aircraft had not returned. An intensive air search lasting more than 7 days and
hampered by the weather, failed to locate the aircraft. On 12 December, 1971 the wreckage of the aircraft was
found, by a private searching aircraft, in heavily timbered country near Mount Buller, at an altitude of 4,400
feet. The accident site was approximately 20 miles to the east of the planned track. The aircraft had struck
the trees, tearing off the outer panel of the starboard wing and had then crashed steeply through the timber,
coming to rest on a heading of 184 degrees magnetic. The nature of the damage to the starboard wing suggests
that the aircraft was not out of control when it struck the trees. The engine and propeller damage was consistent
with a low power output at impact with the ground, the ignition switches were "On", mixture control set
to "Full Rich", the carburettor heat was set to "Cold" and the fuel selector was on "Both". The aircraft fuel
tanks, although damaged were found to contain a quantity of fuel.
