Exposing a light plane to a tailwind at a private airfield at Tomahawk resulted in its approach being "too high and fast" causing a crash that claimed the life of experienced aviator Sandra Southwell, a report has found.
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The owner of the airstrip also drove a vehicle towards the runway with headlights and hazard lights flashing to attempt to urge the pilot to abort the landing, but was unsuccessful.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released a report on Friday into the fatal crash on January 20, 2018, finding the pilot - Ms Southwell's partner Barry Bransden - made an unstable approach to the airfield.
The pilot performed a number of orbits before approaching the runway, then touched down more than halfway along and bounced several times. The aircraft collided with a tree after an attempted "go-around" failed.
The ATSB found the approach "exposed the aircraft to a tailwind that significantly increased the groundspeed on final approach".
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"The final approach path was not stable," the report reads.
"In combination with the tailwind, that resulted in the aircraft being too high and fast with a bounced landing well beyond the runway threshold.
"The go-around was initiated at a point from which there was insufficient distance remaining for the aircraft to climb above the tree at the end of the runway in the landing flap configuration and tailwind conditions."
Ms Southwell was the passenger in the plane, a Cessna 182P.
They had flown together 146 kilometres from The Vale Airstrip in Sheffield.
When approaching the airstrip at Tomahawk the pilot reported the aircraft was too high and its groundspeed was faster than normal, resulting in the multiple orbits. The pilot stated he "felt pressure to land" due to light showers and cloud cover.
The owner of the Tomahawk airfield told investigators he was "concerned" that the pilot was attempting to land towards the west, which would result in a 15-knot tailwind.
He drove a vehicle to the airstrip with headlights on and hazard lights flashing to attempt to communicate with the approaching plane to abort the landing.
He left the runway when the landing was imminent.
The plane touched down with 284 metres of runway left, bouncing several times. The pilot then applied full power to attempt the go-around, but failed to get over a tree.
The ATSB found that the crash highlighted the need for pilots to have all information about local weather conditions when attempting to land.
"The ATSB reminds pilots of the importance of obtaining all relevant information about the local conditions, including wind direction and strength, prior to commencing an approach to an aerodrome," the report reads.
"This accident highlights the importance of conducting a standard approach to an aerodrome.
"This enables assessment of the environmental and runway conditions and allows checks to be completed in a predictable manner."
Ms Southwell, 63, of Sheffield, was remembered as a "passionate pilot" who was "warm and welcoming to everyone".
She was the state president of the Australian Women's Pilot Association and treasurer of the Devonport Aero Club.