Overview

• Mathew Farrell, a 42-year-old pilot with limited training, died in a light sports aircraft crash in Victoria's High Country in September 2022.
• Coroner Paul Lawrie ruled that Farrell's recreational pilot license and endorsements were improperly issued by Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus).
• Farrell's training was accelerated, with just 3.6 hours of solo flight time, including 3.3 hours completed in a single day, which the coroner deemed inadequate.
• RAAus was found to have deliberately withheld critical documents and provided false evidence during the coronial inquest, prompting referral to prosecutors.
• The coroner recommended reforms, including oversight of fatal crash investigations by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and stricter licensing standards by CASA.