Investigation number
198500669
Occurrence date
Location
Cairndale, 16 km WSW of Victor Harbour
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Wirestrike
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
Fatal

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.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Victa Ltd
Model
115
Registration
VH-FHP
Operation type
Private
Departure point
Aldinga SA
Departure time
1145
Destination
Aldinga SA
Damage
Destroyed