Collision with terrain involving a Piper PA-18-150/A1, VH-FPI, 19 km south-west of Gifford Station, Western Australia, on 29 October 1993

199303608

Summary

The pilot was mustering sheep on his property and had handed off two mobs to ground handlers. He was on his fourth pass and was in a 45-degree left turn, descending from 100 to 50 ft at about 70 kts when he realised that he was too close to the sheep and applied left rudder to slip the aircraft away from the sheep. He then attempted to bring the wings level with aileron and arrest the descent without releasing the left rudder pressure. As the aircraft approached 50 ft, the pilot realised he could not recover and closed the throttle. The aircraft struck the ground with the left wing. The propeller then contacted the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled, coming to rest in a distance of about 40 m facing 180 degrees from the direction of flight.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 199303608
Occurrence date 29/10/1993
Location 19 km south-west of Gifford Station
State Western Australia
Report release date 05/04/1994
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Collision with terrain
Occurrence class Accident
Highest injury level Minor

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Piper Aircraft Corp
Model PA-18-150/A1
Registration VH-FPI
Sector Piston
Operation type Aerial Work
Departure point Gifford Station WA
Destination Gifford Station WA
Damage Substantial