Circumstances:
A weather front was approaching Rottnest Island from the north-west. The pilot departed before the weather arrived, climbing to 1500 feet whilst intercepting the south easterly track to Jandakot. Shortly after reaching 1500 feet, the weather closed in, and the pilot was unable to avoid entering cloud. The pilot did not request assistance from Perth Air Traffic Services. Instead, he turned towards the island and commenced an instrument descent expecting to descend clear of the cloud and land at Rottnest without difficulty. The aircraft exited the cloud at a low height above the sea, to be suddenly confronted with boats and land. During the sharp left hand avoidance turn, the left wing struck the water. The aileron was torn off and the wing and fuselage were damaged by the impact. The pilot retained control and carried out an emergency landing at Rottnest Island airport.
