Piper PA24-400, VH-FOE, 1 km NW Hamilton Aerodrome VIC, 18 November 1983

At about 0200 hours, the owner and a passenger boarded the aircraft for a local flight. A resident heard it take off and saw the aircraft lights in the circuit area. He also noted that the runway lights were illuminated. A go-around was made on the first approach and the aircraft was landed after another circuit. A take off was carried out in the opposite direction and shortly after becoming airborne the aircraft struck the ground. Fire broke out and engulfed the wreckage. It was not possible to determine which of the occupants were manipulating the controls at the time of the accident. Neither person was qualified to operate the aircraft. Post mortem examinations revealed that both persons had high blood alcohol levels.