By Casey Neill
Low cloud and rain probably caused a plane crash that killed a Noble Park man, an investigation has found.
On Wednesday 28 June the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released a report into the 29 January 2016 incident that killed four people, including Donald Hately, 68.
A Piper Aircraft Corp PA-28 aircraft was on a private flight from Moorabbin Airport to King Island, but after passing over Point Lonsdale entered an area of low visibility.
The pilot turned 180 degrees and initially tracked back towards Point Lonsdale, before heading south over the ocean.
The pilot again turned right about two minutes later, before entering a rapid descent.
The plane hit the water about 12.30pm, 6.6 kilometres south-west of Point Lonsdale.
The ATSB found that the pilot probably experienced a loss of visual cues because of low cloud and rain and became spatially disoriented.
“The risk of a loss of control in the conditions was increased by the pilot’s lack of instrument flying proficiency,” the report said.
The ATSB said pre-flight planning needed to include the conditions at all stages of the flight.
“It is always possible that the actual weather conditions will be different to those forecast,” the report said.
The report said that education and training in the practical application of meteorological principles had been shown to enhance pilots’ ability to recognise and respond to deteriorating weather conditions.
“Requesting assistance from air traffic control can increase the chances of re-establishing visual cues,” it said.
