Le Pin. It is very likely if the Willy ATC had the flight details in advance he would have given a clearance before the pilot decided he could wait no longer as he was about to penetrate the " never go or you'll be shot " military airspace invisible line.
No cloud below 5000 south of willy so he could have descended to 2300' and remain in VMC.
I ask again. Can anyone remember the control zone step height between Newcastle and Brookliyn bridge in those days?
Why did the Sydney ATC say weather was a factor if the pilot could have operated OCTA south of Newcastle.?
If the RAAF road block was not active that night there is little doubt the pilot would not have turned inland to CRAVEN.
Change the unnecessary flight planning restriction before more lives are lost I reckon!