Investigation number
198403554
Occurrence date
Location
2 km NE of Parafield
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal

The pilot departed Toowoomba early on the same day to ferry the aircraft via refuelling stops at Walgett and Griffith. The flight evidently proceeded normally until the aircraft was on approach to land at Parafield. At this time the pilot advised that the engine was failing and shortly afterwards he reported that he was experiencing fuel problems and would attempt a forced landing. Control of the aircraft was subsequently lost and it crashed inverted into a suburban property. Inspection of the wreckage revealed that the engine had failed through fuel exhaustion. Fuel usage on the previous legs of the flight should have indicated to the pilot that the aircraft could not reach the destination with the mandatory fuel reserves. The pilot was known to be in a hurry to make an onward transport connection from Adelaide and he possibly allowed this to influence his decision to attempt the flight non-stop from Griffith. When the engine failed the aircraft was about 800 feet agl and there were no suitable forced landing areas within gliding distance. Control of the aircraft was then lost at too low a height to enable recovery before impact with the ground.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Cessna Aircraft Company
Model
150
Registration
VH-BFA
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
Griffith NSW
Departure time
1300
Destination
Parafield SA
Damage
Destroyed