The aircraft was engaged on an IFR freight operation and
departed Canberra at 1836 hours for Bankstown. At 1900 hours the
pilot reported over Shellys at 7,000 feet, estimating Bankstown at
1927 hours. He advised he would be descending at 1903 hours to
remain outside controlled airspace.
Recorded radar data later indicated the aircraft tracked towards
Bindook VOR and commenced a gradual descent. The last recorded
altitude was 2,800 feet, about 5nm NE of Bindook, at 1918 hours.
Terrain in that area extends to an elevation of 3,979 feet. There
were reports of extensive areas of cloud and poor visibility in the
area.
The aircraft was subsequently found to have flown into the
eastern side of a steep sided ridge at an elevation of about 2,300
feet. The accident is considered to have been non-survivable.