Investigation number
197005080
Occurrence date
Location
Bandya Homestead
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Loss of control
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

After flying northward and examining surface mineral characteristics from the air the pilot decided
to return to Bandya Homestead where, on circling the 300 feet wide earth strip, he judged the wind to be
directly across it and gusting between 10-15 knots. He selected full flap and approached to land,
Intending to touch down firstly on the left mainwheel and with the left wing lowered. The aircraft
touched down on the left main wheel close to the centre of the strip and the nose wheel and right main
wheel then quickly made contact. The aircraft ran straight and parallel to the edge of the strip for
350 feet, with the left wheel intermittently lifting, but it then commenced to veer to the left at an
increasing rate. Despite the application of right rudder and the late use of brake the aircraft continued
to swing and finally ran off the left hand edge of the strip and the nose wheel struck a low ridge of earth.
The nosewheel assembly collapsed and the aircraft came to rest on the main wheels and lower engine
cowling.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Piper Aircraft Corp
Model
PA-28
Registration
VH-SDP
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
Leonora
Departure time
07 03
Destination
Bandya Homestead
Damage
Substantial