Summary
The pilot under instruction was undergoing training with a view to qualifying for a commercial pilot licence.
Immediately prior to the flight which resulted in the accident the aircraft was refuelled, the appropriate preflight
inspections were completed, and the instructor made an entry in the daily flying record to the effect that
the forthcoming flight was for the purpose of revision of forced landing practice. The aircraft was seen to
depart from Lismore Aerodrome with the instructor in the right hand seat and the other pilot in the left hand dual
control seat. This is the normal seating for an instructional flight in this type of aircraft fitted with dual controls.
Approximately 15 minutes after departure the aircraft was seen descending in a south-westerly direction in an
area which is frequently used by the Northern Rivers Aero Club for forced landing practice. There was no
apparent engine noise as the aircraft then turned onto a southerly heading. The descent continued until the
aircraft was only a few feet above the ground at a point where it crossed a road and it then pulled up sharply to
a height estimated as not above 75 feet. It leveled out and, with no change in direction, proceeded for a
distance of approximately 3,500 feet and then commenced a steeply banked turn to the right. After completing
about 90 degrees of this turn the aircraft dropped rapidly and struck the ground heavily in a left wing low and
nose down attitude. An intense fire broke out immediately.
During the investigation a detailed examination of the wreckage was conducted but this revealed no evidence of
any pre-existing defect or malfunction of the aircraft or the engine.
