Victa 115/150, VH-FHP, Cairndale, 16 km WSW of Victor Harbour SA, 9 November 1985

198500669

Summary

The pilot had arranged to take each of his guests on a scenic flight of the local area. On the second of these flights, the passenger took along a video camera. The aircraft was observed flying at a low altitude and subsequently struck the top wire of a 10 metre high three strand power line. The aircraft then continued towards rising ground, climbed over a row of trees before descending rapidly into the ground. A fire broke out and consumed the fuselage of the aircraft. An inspection of the wreckage revealed that only the underside of the rear of the aircraft had struck the wire. It is considered unlikely that this impact would have adversely effected the control of the aircraft, other than to reduce its airspeed. The inspection did not reveal any other defect that could have contributed to the occurrence. It is probable that as the aircraft was climbed over the trees it stalled and that there was insufficient altitude available for the pilot to recover the aircraft. Both occupants survived the impact but were apparently unable to evacuate the aircraft and died in the subsequent fire.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198500669
Occurrence date 09/11/1985
Location Cairndale, 16 km WSW of Victor Harbour
Report release date 29/04/1986
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Wirestrike
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Victa Ltd
Model 115
Registration VH-FHP
Operation type Private
Departure point Aldinga SA
Destination Aldinga SA
Damage Destroyed