Werris Creek - Werris Creek

On July 19, 1988 at 10:45 AM, Werris Creek - Werris Creek experienced a crash involving Fletcher FU-24, operated by Private Australian, with the event recorded near Werris Creek New South Wales.

The flight was categorized as spraying (agricultural) and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

1 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

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

The listed crash cause is human factor. The pilot was conducting superphosphate spreading operations in fine and clear weather conditions. The paddock being treated sloped uphill, and there were heavily timbered peaks beyond the paddock. The pilot had spread the paddock the previous day under similar conditions. On this occasion the aircraft was apparently performing normally as the first swath run was completed, but the aircraft did not appear to gain any appreciable height as it approached the hills. It was then seen to adopt a steep nose-up attitude and commence a wingover type manoeuvre. During this manoeuvre the aircraft struck trees and then impacted the ground. A fierce fire broke out and engulfed the wreckage. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-HPP, MSN 162, year of manufacture 1970.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -31.3489°, 150.6474°.