Summary
The airstrip at Tierawoomba is aligned east-west, with a prepared length of 2,480 feet and it slopes up at the
eastern end towards trees which limit the effective length for a landing to the west. A gully 30 feet deep crosses
the western end of the strip but this is not visible from an aircraft on the ground beyond about 200 feet from the
gully. There is no ground marking to delineate the limits of the strip. The pilot had sought information concerning
the strip but had been given only approximate dimensions and advised that aircraft similar to the PA24 had
operated from the strip. The pilot had some difficulty in locating Tierawoomba and the aircraft arrived over the
homestead some 22 minutes before last light. Notwithstanding that the flight had occupied some 52 minutes longer
than was planned, the aircraft was still above the maximum gross weight permitted for landing. The weather was
fine and overcast, with no wind and the pilot circled the airstrip and elected to land into the west. After
approaching, the aircraft appeared to float for some distance before touching down in a position from which at
least 900 feet remained in which to stop the aircraft before the gully was reached. To stop the aircraft from
touchdown at the correct speed of 61.5 knots, and using maximum braking in the existing conditions, would have
required 830 feet. Ground marks indicated that heavy braking commenced some 150 feet from the gully, but the
pilot was unable to stop the aircraft before it plunged into the gully and struck the nearly vertical western wall.
