Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo Chieftain in Kalgoorlie: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1981 at 1844 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-KMS
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jameson - Kalgoorlie
MSN:
31-7712056
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
22655
Captain / Total hours on type:
500.00
Circumstances:
The pilot acted as a relief pilot for the Eastern Goldfields Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service based in Kalgoorlie. On 30 April 1981 he had been rostered as the duty pilot from 1100 hours to 1700 hours. He was advised by the chief pilot soon after 1100 hours that a flight to Jameson and return was required. The flight was planned to include a refuelling stop at Warburton en-route to Jameson. The pilot expressed concern that the flight might not be completed in daylight, but after discussing the problem with the chief pilot, it was concluded that the flight should return to Kalgoorlie about ten minutes before last light. The aircraft subsequently departed Kalgoorlie at 1221 hours, and the flight proceeded uneventfully. However, delays en-route and in refuelling resulted in the aircraft not departing Jameson until 1609 hours. Based on the flight plan time intervals, the expected arrival time at Kalgoorlie was 1844 hours which was an hour after last light. The pilot did not hold the necessary qualification allowing him to operate a multiengined aircraft at night, although he held such a rating for single-engined aircraft. He elected to proceed as planned, and declared the last section of the flight a Mercy Flight. At 1828 hours, when 55 km from Kalgoorlie, the pilot contacted Kalgoorlie Flight Service Unit and received details of the weather, as recorded thirty minutes earlier. This information included an observation of lightning to the west-south-west and a line of thunderstorms from north-west to south of the aerodrome. At 1840 hours, when about 13 km from Kalgoorlie he advised that he would use runway 28. No further communication was heard from the aircraft. Witnesses at Boulder, 4 km east of Kalgoorlie, subsequently reported that a severe squall entered the area shortly before the aircraft was seen turning on to final approach for the runway. The strong wind had generated dust clouds and the aircraft was seen to enter one of these, whilst executing a number of sudden attitude changes. It then collided with a mineshaft headframe. The left wing was torn from the aircraft which then crashed to the ground nearby. A passenger was seriously injured while four other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
There is insufficient evidence available to enable the cause of this accident to be determined. It is evident however, that the aircraft encountered severe turbulence at a low height during the approach for landing. No pre-existing defect or malfunction which could have contributed to the accident was found during the examination of the wreckage.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove near Kalgoorlie: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1951 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-AQO
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Perth – Kalgoorlie
MSN:
04002
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While descending to Kalgoorlie, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie located about 22 km west of Kalgoorlie, in the Kurrawang Natural Reserve. All seven occupants were killed, among them Captain Charles M. Hood and hostess/radio operator Dorothy Reilly.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was caused by the physical loss of the left wing that detached in flight due to metal fatigue.

Crash of a Vickers 198 Viastra II in Perth

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1933
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-UOM
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Perth – Kalgoorlie – Adelaide
MSN:
2
YOM:
1931
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, a propeller blade on the left engine detached and impacted the fuselage, damaging control cables and hitting a passenger. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in Redcliffe, near the airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all 12 occupants evacuated safely.
Probable cause:
Loss of a propeller blade on the left engine shortly after takeoff.