The aircraft was being flown to Waikerie for a major inspection. While the aircraft was cruising at 2500 feet enroute, the pilot stated that he smelt smoke and almost immediately noticed oil streaming over the windscreen. He closed the throttle and commenced an approach to a large paddock. The aircraft was landed without further damage. The pilot vacated the aircraft via the rear door to avoid the billowing smoke from the engine compartment and attempted to extinguish the fire with a portable fire extinguisher. On realising the attempt would be unsuccessful, he collected his luggage from the cabin of the aircraft and cleared the area. The aircraft was subsequently destroyed by fire. Inspection of the rear of the engine compartment was hampered by the degree of damage caused by the intensity of the fire. The investigation did not discover any malfunction that might have caused the fire.
