Summary
During the take-off run the right gear leg failed. The aircraft had just passed through a soft patch of ground then run over a grass tussock. The severed section of the leg punctured the right wing and dented the tailplane as the aircraft slid to a halt. A subsequent metallurgical examination found that the leg fractured because of the growth to critical size of a fatigue crack. The fatigue had originated in small surface imperfections caused by corrosion pitting.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 198602303 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 17/01/1986 |
| Location | 8 km NE Coleambally |
| Report release date | 05/05/1986 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Piper Aircraft Corp |
|---|---|
| Model | PA-36 |
| Registration | VH-OON |
| Operation type | Aerial Work |
| Departure point | 8 km NE Coleambally NSW |
| Destination | 8 km NE Coleambally NSW |
| Damage | Substantial |