Just a thought - last light was at 08.19UTC / 1819 local. This occurred at 20.39. So, what if?
What if the 172 was coming in from cross country and is running on fumes?
Or the engine was making a nasty sound, and pilot wanted to get it on the ground quick smart?
Or does a days work then climbs into the trusty ole Cessna at sunset to get to town so they're ready bright & early tomorrow? Or does a days work & just pops out to do circuits for currency? The prelim report doesn't say if the 172 was doing night circuits or popped up on short final out of nowhere.
Yes the 172 said they saw the Dash 8 and still landed BUT doesn't a Dash 8 have 2 sets of eyes vs 1 set of eyes in the c172 - I am assuming that the pilot was the only pob in the 172.
Doesn't a Dash 8 have all sorts of gear to avoid planes & planets?
Maybe ole mate thought to avoid air services charges (it has been known to happen) & Dash 8 crew, not hearing anything on CTAF, got busy with Brisbane centre......
What if...
(Somewhere in my battered brain cells ...... early 1990s? A Cessna coming in to land went around to make way for a departing Metro? Cessna then ran out of sky and / or fuel and 3? People were seriously injured.. Details are very hazy but think it might have been in WA??).
Last edited by outnabout; 4th Apr 2014 at 00:35.
Reason: Clarity