Collision with terrain involving Piper PA 23, VH-ERT, Wollongong, New South Wales, on 7 July 1990

Circumstances:

The aircraft was returning to Bankstown at the completion of a cargo charter flight. Take-off from runway 35 proceeded normally until the aircraft reached a height of about 90 feet when severe wind shear was encountered, resulting in a high rate of sink. The pilot was unable to prevent the aircraft from settling back onto the runway with the landing gear retracted. The prevailing conditions were conducive to the formation of mechanical turbulence in the lee of nearby mountains. At the time of the accident, it was reported there were large fluctuations in the wind velocity at Wollongong aerodrome.

Significant Factors:

The following factor was considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. The aircraft encountered severe wind shear at a critical stage of the take off and lacked the performance to prevent a collision with ground.