Coroner rules inquest not needed into deaths of Graham White and Ralph Buchanan

On the morning of July 6, 2014, Mr White, a well-known flying instructor, and Mr Buchanan, of Mossy Point, embarked on a short assessment flight as part of a two-year review of Mr Buchanan’s flying qualifications.

Around 10 minutes after takeoff witnesses saw Mr Buchanan’s amateur-built Morgan Sierra 100 aircraft flying low out to sea.

According to Mr Dick’s report, some witnesses said the aircraft appeared to be in obvious trouble before “entering a steep downward trajectory, splashing into the sea vertically and nose first”.

Witnesses also reported seeing pieces detach from the plummeting aircaraft prior to impact. No distress call was intercepted.

Mr White’s body was recovered the day of the crash however the aircraft wreckage, containing the remains of Mr Buchanan, was recovered six days later

A mechanical inspection of the engine found it was running at the point of impact, with no signs of engine malfunction or fuel exhaustion and balance was not considered a contributing factor.

However there was evidence that the lock nuts in the cable elevator control system might have vibrated loose over a period of time.

“This is believed by investigators to be the probable cause of the crash,” Mr Dick said.

“There was no evidence the aircraft had been modified in any way.

“The aircraft pitching nose down is consistent with a loss of elevator control.”

Mr Dick concluded it was “extremely unlikely” either Mr White or Mr Buchanan contributed to the loss of control of the aircraft, and corrective action on their part was “not possible”.

“Sadly this accident was not survivable,” Mr Dick said.

“I am satisfied that an inquest will not take this matter any further and pursuant to Section 25 of the Coroners Act 2009 I dispense with holding an inquest.”