Collision on ground involving an Air Tractor AT-401, VH-ODK, 18 km east of North Star (ALA), New South Wales, on 1 February 1996

The pilot stated that he departed the Aircair base strip at Boggabilla at about 1415 EST after refuelling and proceeded to a farm strip at "Eddlington" nine kms due east of North Star, to spray herbicide.

He approached the strip from the north-west and turned for a straight in approach. The pilot said he had used the strip 2 days before and was familiar with it. The wind was from the west tending south-west at four to five knots, and he landed the aircraft "well to the north end of the strip". He stated that as he touched down the aircraft turned violently to the right through 180 degrees and proceeded backwards and to the right into the sorghum crop where it came to rest. The left wing was damaged, and the rear fuselage was broken. The pilot said that on investigation he found that the right wing had struck a dirt bank concealed by long grass, and this caused the sudden loss of directional control.