Aircraft flight profile The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, nor was it required to be. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. Based on predictions of aircraft performance and the distance of the accident site from Hobart, the estimated time of the accident was 1656. The wreckage was located 58 km from Hobart airport on a bearing of 320 degrees magnetic. The pilot of the aircraft was found fatally injured in the wreckage. Shortly after, a search and rescue helicopter arrived at the accident site. The non-flying occupant of the Hobart search aircraft sighted the wreckage at about 1930. The operator advised AusSAR and the Hobart air traffic control tower, and organised company search aircraft from both Hobart and Devonport. At about 1800, the operator’s staff at Devonport advised the Hobart base that the aircraft had not arrived. The acknowledgement of that call was the last communication heard from the pilot.
At 1646, the pilot reported leaving 4,500 ft, and was advised that air traffic services were terminated. Due to following traffic, the pilot was required to report leaving specific altitudes. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported a departure time of 1643 to air traffic control, with an intention to climb to 8,500 ft and to fly a track of 319 degrees magnetic. The aircraft commenced taxying at Hobart for a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) ferry flight to Devonport.