Beechcraft 77 Skipper, VH-HBI, Kagaru, 35 km south of Archerfield, Queensland, on 5 November 1989

Circumstances:

The purpose of the flight was to carry out training in simulated forced landings. The aircraft was flown by the student to an airfield, and the instructor demonstrated a forced landing onto the airfield. During the landing roll the propeller is reported to have contacted the ground and thrown mud and water onto the aircraft windscreen. The aircraft was not inspected but was taxied back to the threshold and the instructor commenced a short field take-off. Acceleration to the mid-point of the strip was normal; however, from there on the ground was softer and acceleration reduced. The aircraft became airborne but touched down in the adjoining paddock before running through a fence. During the take-off run, the student, who was watching the airspeed indicator closely, noticed that the instructor attempted to fly the aircraft off the ground at 50 knots, the take-off safety speed being 59 knots. Wheel marks on the strip indicated that the aircraft became airborne 23 metres after the strip end. It settled back onto the ground 130 metres later and ran through the fence.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The strip was unsuitable for the operation.

2. The condition of the strip was not checked prior to the commencement of the takeoff.

3. The pilot did not abandon the takeoff.

4. The pilot mishandled the aircraft controls during the take-off.