Runway excursion involving an American AA-5B, VH-SYM, Bunbury, Western Australia, on 5 February 1995

The student pilot was engaged in a solo cross training flight at the time of the accident. As he was approaching the aerodrome he reported that he checked the windsock and noticed that the wind appeared to be from the north-east at approximately 10 knots. The pilot entered the circuit area and completed an approach and landing on runway 07. The aircraft touched down, on the gravel centre section, approximately 300m in from the threshold of the 1221m long strip.

The pilot observed that the aircraft was not slowing as fast as expected and he applied full braking. When it became apparent that the aircraft would not stop by the boundary fence the pilot shut the engine down and attempted to steer the aircraft to the right, on to the grass and away from the fence.

The left wing collided with a fence post, swinging the aircraft through 140 degrees and the aircraft stopped on the gravel verge of a two-lane road with the right wing blocking one lane.

As the pilot exited the aircraft, he observed that the windsock indicated a tailwind of approximately 20 knots on runway 07.