Rutan Vari-eze, VH-EZM, Lake Cataract NSW, 3 July 1983

198301305

Summary

Following receipt of advice that the aircraft had failed to return from a no-sar, no-details flight, searchers found the wreckage washed up on the edge of a lake. A power line 20 metres above the lake surface and about 1.5 km from the wreckage had been de-braided over a two metre length. The aircraft had struck the power line, which severed the right canard, a section of the right wing and the propeller blades. The aircraft struck the water and the main wreckage floated to the shore of the lake. The investigation did not reveal any fault with the aircraft that could have contributed to the accident and no operational reasons could be found for the aircraft having been flown at low level over the lake.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 198301305
Occurrence date 03/07/1983
Location Lake Cataract
Report release date 01/05/1984
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 Rutan Aircraft Factory
Model VariEze
Registration VH-EZM
Operation type Private
Departure point Albion Park NSW
Destination Bankstown NSW
Damage Destroyed