Runway excursion involving a Cessna 150M, VH-EAV, Tyabb Airport, Victoria, on 19 March 2014

On 19 March 2014, the pilot of a Cessna 150M aircraft, registered VH-EAV, conducted a local flight from Tyabb aeroplane landing area (ALA), Victoria, with one passenger on board.

At about 1545 Eastern Daylight-savings Time (EDT), the aircraft returned to Tyabb. The pilot overflew the aerodrome and observed that the windsock was indicating a south-easterly wind at about 15 kt, and elected to use the grass runway parallel to, and to the left of, runway 17.

The pilot reported that the aircraft was slightly higher than usual on approach and it encountered some minor turbulence. When at about 100 ft above ground level, the aircraft drifted and yawed sharply to the right. The pilot used left rudder to align the aircraft with the runway centreline. The aircraft touched down about 300 m beyond the runway threshold.

The aircraft veered off the runway to the left, rolled down the slope to the eastern side, and collided with a tyre marking the location of a drain. The aircraft continued into the culvert and the nose landing gear subsequently collapsed.  The propeller struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage and the aircraft came to rest on the grass.

After the accident, the pilot observed the windsock veering from the south-south-east to south-south-west and reported that windshear may have contributed to the incident.

The pilot reported that there were a number of clues indicating a possible go-around situation: the aircraft was high and long on the approach; the aircraft moved to the right prior to the flare for landing; and the aircraft was not aligned with the runway centreline prior to touchdown.

This incident is a reminder to pilots to be go-around ready.

Aviation Short Investigations Bulletin - Issue 30