Investigation number
198503541
Occurrence date
Location
Morana Station 35 km North of Emerald
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence category
Collision with terrain
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

After having inspected a property, the pilot and his passengers returned to the aircraft to prepare for DEPARTURE. A storm was approaching the strip from the north and a 10 to 15 knot crosswind prevailed at the strip. A take-off into the east was commenced, the aircraft became airborne and as it crossed the upwind end of the strip, it was affected by a sudden gust of wind. The aircraft yawed to the right, lost altitude and struck the ground, before coming to rest in a ploughed paddock. At the time of the attempted take-off the location of the approaching storm was conducive to the presence of strong downdraughts or possibly microbursts in the vicinity of the strip. The pilot elected to commence the take-off because he was concerned that heavy rain at the strip would have rendered it unserviceable.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Beech Aircraft Corp
Model
24
Registration
VH-DJD
Operation type
Business
Departure point
Morana Station QLD
Departure time
1510
Destination
Emerald QLD
Damage
Substantial