Summary
At approximately 1419 hours CST on 6th July, 1969, a Piper PA32-300 aircraft, registered
VH-PPV, and a Victa 100 aircraft, registered VH-BWT, collided in the air at a height at about 200 feet
over the western end of strip 26 at Parafield Airport, South Australia. VH-PPV, which sustained no
damage, continued in flight and landed safely at Parafield. VH-BWT which was substantially damaged
remained in flight and also landed safely at Parafield.
None of the seven occupants of VH-PPV and two occupants of VH-BWT was injured.
After taking off VH-BWT climbed directly ahead and VH-PPV, which was already
airborne, also commenced to climb but on a slightly convergent path, at a higher airspeed and with
a lower rate of climb. The field of vision of the pilot of VH-PPV was such that VH-BWT should
have been visible to him throughout the take-off and climb of both aircraft, but at a height of about
200 feet, over the western end of the strip, the pilot of VH-PPV saw VH-BWT apparently drifting
across his path from left to right and slightly above him. He attempted to take evasive action,
but the propeller of VH-PPV struck the starboard wing of VH-BWT and almost completely
destroyed the aileron. Both aircraft remained in flight and were landed safely at Parafield.
