Carnarvon - Mount Augustus

On July 4, 1981 at 12:00 AM, Carnarvon - Mount Augustus experienced a crash involving Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, operated by Royal Flying Doctor Service - RFDS, with the event recorded near Mount Augustus Western Australia.

The flight was categorized as ambulance and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 1, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The twin engine airplane departed Carnarvon on an ambulance flight to Mount Augustus to evacuate a sick child. On board were one nurse and one pilot. The approach to Mount Augustus was initiated in limited visibility due to a moonless night and six vehicles were dispatched on the ground with lights on. While turning on final, the airplane was too low, struck trees and crashed. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-DEE, MSN 31-8012072, year of manufacture 1980.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -24.3254°, 116.8422°.