The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has commenced a transport safety investigation into the VFR^[1] flight into IMC^[2] involving a Piper PA-28, VH-FPS, near Warrnambool, Victoria.

During cruise, the crew, operating under VFR, reported encountering unforecast weather and elected to return to Warrnambool. The instructor determined that conditions at the destination were unsuitable and assumed control, entering IMC on climb and requesting assistance from the controller. The aircraft landed safely at Moorabbin Airport. The investigation is continuing.

As part of the investigation, the ATSB will review the forecast and actual weather information, analyse any available recorded data, and interview involved parties.

A report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation. However, should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken.

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1. Visual flight rules (VFR): a set of regulations that permit a pilot to operate an aircraft only in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.
2. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC): weather conditions that require pilots to fly primarily by reference to instruments, and therefore under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), rather than by outside visual reference. Typically, this means flying in cloud or limited visibility.