Animal strike involving a Airparts NZ Ltd FU-24A-950, VH-CYN, 19 km west of Guyra, New South Wales, on 27 November 1997

A Fletcher aircraft was being operated from an agricultural strip located on undulating terrain. During take-off, the pilot was unable to prevent the aircraft colliding with two sheep as it came over the blind crest of a hill. The pilot reported feeling the elevator move during the impact and the aircraft briefly became airborne, in a nose-up trimmed condition due to elevator damage.

The pilot closed the throttle and attempted to land in a paddock straight ahead. However, during the landing, the nose wheel separated from the aircraft, resulting in substantial damage being incurred during the ensuing ground roll.