Collision with terrain involving Cessna 172M, VH-DBL, Jandakot, Western Australia

The pilot had planned to carry out a period of circuit training. Following discussion with the operator it was decided, primarily at the pilot's request and because of apparent under-confidence and a concern she had about recency, that her circuit procedures would be checked by an instructor prior to conducting solo circuit training.

Two uneventful dual circuits were conducted. Following the dual check the pilot carried out one solo circuit which resulted in a normal landing, a second circuit which required an overshoot as the aircraft was too high over the threshold, and a third circuit which appeared normal. The accident occurred on the fourth solo circuit.

During the fourth circuit the aircraft was observed to be below the normal glide path and flying faster than normal as it turned on to the final approach. The aircraft continued to descend, with wing flaps retracted, until it became obvious to the ground observers that the aircraft would crash short of the runway unless the pilot took corrective action.

Just prior to impact the pilot radioed that she was "going round". However, the aircraft collided with a 15 metre high tree 300 metres short of the threshold, as the call was being made. The aircraft came to a stop inverted, in a drain, 30 metres beyond the tree.

Insufficient evidence was available to determine the precise factors which led to the accident. Weather and mechanical problems were eliminated as possible factors. It is apparent from the aircraft's final flight path and the timing and tenor of the "going round" call that the pilot was unaware of the danger until just prior to impact.